In this month’s special edition, FoodNavigator-USA offers a sneak peak at what will happen – and what booths and education sessions to check out – at Natural Products Expo West, which is one of the largest events in the packaged food and beverage industry.
One of the biggest issues discussed at Expo West in recent years is the rise of regenerative agriculture, including the benefits for companies, consumers and the planet. This year stakeholders will examine how to build reliable supply chains and the role certification can play in educating consumers and earning their trust, as Regenified Chief Marketing Officer Kristine Root shares in a special episode of FoodNavigator-USA’s Soup-To-Nuts podcast.
Of the many emerging trends to checkout at the show is what consumer and market research firm Spate calls ‘modern alchemy,’ which includes ingredients and foods that can support health and wellness. FoodNavigator-USA combed through the showfloor to identify some of the exhibitors meeting this and other trends flagged by Spate – creating a quick reference list to explore early movers in each space and discover where there is still room for innovation.
Just as essential as trendspotting at the show is networking and establishing partnerships, which Senior Correspondent Ryan Daily examines in a story looking at the cross-category co-branding partnership of Ithaca Hummus and olive oil brand Graza.
Deputy Editor Deniz Ataman also shares how several first-time exhibitors will develop new relationships with retailers and others at the show in a story filled with strategic tips every founder should know.
Check out all the details of these stories and more by clicking through the headlines below or if you are a FoodNavigator-USA subscriber, by checking your inbox for the Natural Products Expo West special edition.
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Special Edition: Natural Products Expo West Preview
Trends to watch at Expo West: From ‘modern alchemy’ to functional sips and snacks – To help attendees at Natural Products Expo West efficiently explore the most promising trends at the show, consumer and market research firm Spate examined TikTok and Google search data to identify emerging themes in food and beverage, who at the show is already meeting these trends and where there is white space for innovation.
What is driving consumer interest in regenerative agriculture? – Regenified Chief Marketing Officer Kristine Root shares who is most interested in regenerative agriculture, what is driving their engagement in the sector, and the extent to which they will pay more for regeneratively produced foods and beverages. She also shines a light on where there are knowledge gaps that limit shopper participation in the market, and how brands and retailers can better meet this growing demand by converting their supply chains to regeneratively sourced ingredients.
Cross-category co-branding collaboration could help hummus brand hit $50 million in sales – Ithaca Hummus expects a collaboration with olive oil brand Graza to fuel growth for the dip company seeking to crack $50 million in sales in 2025.
Meat company proclaims ‘proudly preservative free’ to address clean-label demand – Olli Salumeria’s rebrands to call attention to the preservative-free claim for its salamis.
First-time exhibitors focus on retail partnerships and trends at Expo West – As first time vendors, Earthside Farms and Blume will focus on developing new and existing retail relationships and identifying new trends to set themselves apart in the natural products market
Closing the loop on packaging – One Step Closer’s Packaging Collaborative engages CPG brands and packaging providers to create a circular system with recyclable or compostable materials
