Seven Food Partners Featured in the FIC’s Incubator Village Booths
Portland, Oregon – January 2, 2026: Supporting food entrepreneurs is a core mission for the Oregon State University Food Innovation Center. At the upcoming Winter Fancy Food Show in San Diego, California (January 11–13, 2026), the Food Innovation Center will proudly showcase seven innovative food partners in its Incubator Village booth. These featured companies represent the diverse range of entrepreneurs who have leveraged the Food Innovation Center’s expertise in product development, manufacturing scale-up, food safety, and business strategy consulting, like ingredient selection and labeling to meet consumer demands:
- Ota Tofu – one of the oldest tofu manufacturers in the United States, Ota Tofu will feature new tofu scrambles
- Buji Brown Butter – refined butter with rich, nutty aroma, smooth texture, and depth of flavor
- Cuatro Mamas – a selection of chili crisp oils with authentic ingredients
- Tienda Salsita – variety of salsas that are stone ground with volcanic hand-carved stones in small batches
- Red Camper Foods –a product line to make any picnic magical, from compotes to boozy fruit
- Eleni’s Kitchen – authentic Ethiopian simmer sauces and Injera bread
- Simple Trails Natures Foods – gourmet granola with whole ingredients crafted to indulge family cravings
“Supporting the journey of food entrepreneurs is one of the most rewarding things we do at the Food Innovation Center,” said Sarah Masoni, Product Development Director and member of the Specialty Food Association Board of Directors.
Masoni shares, “The product development phase of innovation can be technically mysterious for many business leaders with a new food idea. Sometimes, just reviewing ingredient statements and nutritional labels can provide clues to meaningful product improvements to meet consumer preferences. Sometimes we need to dig into the product formulation to adjust flavor, ingredients, and support successful manufacturing scale-up. Each new client comes to us at different stage in their development - in their journey.”
With more than 26 years in operation, the Oregon State University Food Innovation Center has supported hundreds of brands from recipe to formula to production. This year’s Incubator Village display highlights the breadth of innovation and collaboration that continues to define the Food Innovation Center’s role in advancing the food industry in the Northwest and beyond.
Learn More
Visit the Food Innovation Center website to explore services or complete a project intake form to connect with our team. For details on the Winter Fancy Food Show and its exhibitors, visit the event site
About the Oregon State University Food Innovation Center
Founded in 1999, the Oregon State University Food Innovation Center is a nationally recognized resource dedicated to helping food and beverage companies develop, reformulate, and improve products for the marketplace. Our multidisciplinary team of food science and culinary experts specializes in creating high-quality, safe, and consumer-driven food products, with a focus on taste, clean ingredients, nutrition, processing, and regulatory compliance.
As one of Oregon State University's Agricultural Experiment Stations, the Food Innovation Center serves as a technical, creative, and educational gathering space for the food industry, entrepreneurs, and communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. We are committed to advancing the food ecosystem through product development, quality, safety, and sustainability across the region and beyond.
Visit fic.oregonstate.edu to learn more.
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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Sarah Masoni
Email: [email protected]