Specialty Food Association Announces Saudi Dates as 2026 Summer Fancy Food Show Partner

The Specialty Food Association has announced that Saudi Dates, the national trademark and leading exporter of dates from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will be the Show Partner for the 2026 Summer Fancy Food Show, taking place June 28-30 at the Javits Center in New York City.

This partnership is part of the National Center for Dates and Palms’ ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence across the United States, amid growing U.S. demand for natural, functional, and clean-label food products. As consumers increasingly shift toward healthier alternatives to refined sugar, dates and date-based ingredients are gaining traction across retail, foodservice, and food manufacturing sectors.

“The United States represents a strategic market for Saudi Dates, and the Summer Fancy Food Show is an ideal showcase for natural and high-quality food ingredients,” said Mazzen J. Alquraish, Head of the Exporters Qualification and Empowerment Department at the National Center for Palms and Dates (NCPD). “As demand for natural sweeteners rises, the variety of dates available from Saudi Arabia—and associated applications—represents significant opportunities for global food professionals.”

The Saudi Dates portfolio includes premium whole date varieties alongside value-added products such as date syrup, date paste, fillings, and chopped dates, widely used in bakery, confectionery, and functional food applications. These products will be showcased during the Summer Fancy Food Show in a dedicated pavilion as well as during bespoke tastings and culinary demonstrations in the on-floor Buyers’ Lounge.

“Consumers are increasingly seeking more natural and satiety-inducing ways to indulge in sweet treats,” said Bill Lynch, President, Specialty Food Association. “Interest in dates has been exploding as a way to meet this consumer demand, and this year Saudi Dates will offer the Summer Fancy Food Show audience an expanded look at and understanding of the varieties available, as well as their unique tastes, applications, and nutritional profiles.”

Registration for the 2026 Summer Fancy Food Show is open now, with Advanced Rate discounts in place until May 15, 2026. Attendance is limited to qualified members of the specialty food trade, industry affiliates, and media. Learn more at specialtyfood.com/fancy-food-shows/summer/.

###

About the Specialty Food Association

The Specialty Food Association (SFA) was founded in 1952 and is the not-for-profit trade association of the $219-billion specialty food industry. Representing more than 4,200 businesses worldwide, SFA champions industry participation and success for a diverse community of makers, buyers, importers, distributors, and service providers by producing events, programs, and year-round resources and education. SFA owns and operates the Summer Fancy Food Show, Winter FancyFaire*, and the sofi™ Awards, which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage annually since 1972. Find out more at Specialtyfood.com, and connect with SFA on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

About Saudi Dates

Saudi Dates is the national trademark of the National Center for Palms and Dates (NCPD), which works to develop the date industry and expand the global presence of Saudi date products. NCPD plays a key role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by supporting economic diversification and increasing non-oil exports. The organization focuses on implementing best practices in agriculture and production to ensure consistent quality, as well as supporting farmers, producers, and all supply chain stakeholders in meeting the highest global food and beverage standards.