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Winter Show News - 1/16/12

Moscone Center
San Francisco
January 15-17, 2012

Mood Upbeat at Winter Fancy Food Show; sofi Winners in Spotlight; Grow Your Business

The 37th Winter Fancy Food Show is underway at Moscone Center in San Francisco. The largest marketplace for specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast was buzzing with activity on opening day yesterday as exhibitors and attendees expressed a mood of optimism for the $70 billion specialty food industry. “This is the largest Show we’ve ever had in San Francisco, and attendees are seeing and tasting a vast selection of new specialty foods,” says Ann Daw, president of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, the Show’s owner. “A lot of new companies and new members are excited to be here and present their products to the buying audience. There is a very positive mood. We think it is going to be a great year of the dragon.” Among the 1,300 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions, there are 160 first-time exhibitors, and 30 emerging food entrepreneurs in a special pavilion called New Brands on the Shelf. New products at the Show include raw kale chips, caffeinated water and yuzu-flavored mayonnaise. The Show ends tomorrow, January 17 at 4 p.m. Registration is still open online, and in person on site. Learn more and register.

Trends and products from Day 1. Pickled vegetables and fruits and a cocktail mix makeover are among emerging trends at the Show spotted by the editors of Specialty Food Media. Read more.

EXHIBITOR NEWS...Matiz España, an importer of specialty foods from Spain, is presenting its Dequmana Naturally Cured Olives line. Available in four varieties—Arbequina, Empeltre, Gordal and Mixed Olives with Herbs—and packed in 12-ounce glass jars, the Andalucian olives are made by a small, family-owned company involved in all aspects of the process, from planting to packing. Read more. Booth 2537

See the winners. The sofi Awards from the NASFT represent the best of the best. See 2011’s Winners in a special sofi Gold showcase at the Winter Show (Lower Lobby between North and South Halls). These outstanding specialty foods and beverages from NASFT members were selected from the most competitive field yet, with 2,326 entries across 33 awards categories from Outstanding Appetizer, Antipasto and Dip to Outstanding Vinegar. This year’s contest kicks off in March. Winners will be announced at the Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C. Learn more about 2011’s honorees.

EXHIBITOR NEWS...Rick's Picks is introducing With Relish, made with fresh cucumbers from a local New York State grower and premium spices. With Relish is gluten-free, has no fat, no cholesterol and is low sodium. One-gallon foodservice jugs are available for restaurants, bars and commissaries. Read more. Booth 5601

EXHIBITOR NEWS...Partners, a tasteful choice company launches Gourmet Artisan Deli Crackers in three of the company’s top-selling flavors: Roasted Garlic & Rosemary, Everything & More and Olive Oil & Sea Salt. The crackers are made using only all-natural ingredients and contain no preservatives, hydrogenated oils or trans fats. Partners’ new deli rack program includes a complimentary display rack with a minimum purchase order of eight cases. Read more. Booth 3005

Way to grow. Bob Burke, founder of Natural Products Consulting Institute, offers strategic advice on how to thoughtfully grow a specialty food business in a one-hour seminar tomorrow at 8 a.m. at the Winter Show. “Getting from A to B, Taking My Business to the Next Level” covers how to take stock of a business today and create a blueprint for growth. Learn more and register.

EXHIBITOR NEWS...SweetWorks, Inc. is introducing new additions to its Easter collection with chocolate rabbits available in 2-, 6-, and 12-ounce milk, dark, white or foil-wrapped milk chocolate. New Easter chicks are 3.5-ounce semi-solid all-natural milk chocolate wrapped in foil. Each case includes one display tray containing 12 chicks. SweetWorks is also unveiling its new Rocking Horse and Teddy Bear in addition to its Tool Kit, Dulce de Leche Ovation and Celebration line. Booth 3515

EXHIBITOR NEWS...Aiya is launching new consumer size tins for its premium and organic Japanese loose leaf tea line. The line includes premium varieties of Gyokuro, Sencha and Matcha Infused Sencha in 80-gram tins, and Matcha Infused Genmaicha in 85-gram tins. Read more. Booth 782

EXHIBITOR NEWS...DeBrand Fine Chocolates is offering several Valentine’s Day items including a seasonal Chocolate Heart Box, available in milk or dark chocolate (pictured, left), and a hand-decorated White Heart Box. Other products include “Valentine” and “I Love You” Chocolate Thoughts Bars. Read more. Booth 4714

EXHIBITOR NEWS...American craft brewers from across the country are exhibiting as part of the Brewers Association Export Development Program (EDP). Participating brewers include 21st Amendment Brewery (San Francisco); Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, Maine); Deschutes Brewery (Bend, Oregon); Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (Milton, Delaware); Goose Island Beer Co. (Chicago); and Kona Brewing Co. (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii). Read more. Booth 4939

Live coverage from the Show floor. Follow the NASFT Fancy Food Shows on Facebook and Twitter as NASFT’s social media team provides live coverage of the Winter Show from January 15 - 17. Look for tweets and Facebook updates spotlighting Show programs and events, plus announcements about new products and trends.

EXHIBITOR NEWS...Acme Smoked Fish Corporation launches three new products for 2012: Salmon Sauce, a sweet mustard dill that is preservative-free, kosher certified and ideal for pairing with gravlax, lox or smoked salmon; RubyBay King Salmon Jerky, made with wild-caught King Alaskan salmon and available in Peppered and Teriyaki flavors; and Blue Hill Bay Rollmops and Homestyle Herring, joining the existing line of all-natural, preservative-free smoked fish and pickled herring products. Booth 885

Find more Winter Fancy Food Show exhibitor news here.