Winter Fancy Food Show

As we review our notes from the final Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas earlier this week, the presence of premium pantry staples, new positions for konjac jelly brands and a rising tide around the use of A2 dairy caught our attention. Here’s all of the notes from our reporter’s notebooks, which also includes a new spin on frozen fruit and love for lentils across new formats.

In this episode, the CPG Week podcast team discusses the emerging trends spotted on the show floor at the final Winter Fancy Food Show and why the Specialty Food Association is replacing the long-running tradeshow with a new event next year. Then, the group talks about the adult non-alcoholic beverage category, including sales data and standout brands.

The specialty food industry said “aloha” to a handful of Hawaii-based brands during the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas this week. A cohort of exhibitors from the University of Hawaii Leeward Community College’s ‘Āina to Mākeke program showcased locally produced and heritage-inspired snacks and pantry staples.

The Specialty Food Association announced that – after a nearly five-decade run – a new event, Winter FancyFaire*, will take its place in San Diego next year with a reimagined format that includes opportunities for earlier-stage innovation and interactive experiences.

The Winter Fancy Food Show kicked off on Sunday with numerous new products tapping into consumer demand for culinary convenience.

At last week’s Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, brands continued to innovate, offering plant-based and vegan options to classic dairy favorites, from spreads and sauces to chocolate and cheeses. Check out the gallery for the new plant-based products spotted on the show floor, including the latest launches from Miyoko’s and a sweet new release from The Coconut Collaborative.

Utilizing the entire coconut to minimize its carbon footprint and maximize profitability has been a long-term goal for Harmless Harvest and its CEO Ben Mand, who joined the company in June 2018. At Winter Fancy Food Show 2020, held January 19-21 in San Francisco, the company unveiled an expanded food and beverage portfolio that delivers on that goal.

As seen at the 2020 Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco this week, ice cream brands continue to innovate with vegan and lactose-free ingredients, internationally inspired flavors and sustainable packaging. Check out the gallery to see what ice cream and frozen dessert products were seen on the show floor, including a new line from Alden’s Organic and new flavors from NOSH Pitch Slam 7 Winner Beckon.