2018 Winter Fancy Food Show – Jan 21-23
The Winter Fancy Food Show at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, January 21-23, 2018.
More than 1,400 specialty food companies from around the world exhibit. They represent the latest chocolate, cheese, olive oil, baked goods, jams, salsas, tea and other specialty foods and beverages. California boasts the largest state presence with more than 351 food companies, followed by New York, New Jersey and Oregon. More than 20 countries will be participating, including 14 pavilions, the largest from Italy, Japan and France. Bring comfortable walking shoes as exhibits a huge 220,000 square feet of space.
The Show, established in 1954, is now the largest marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty foods and beverages in North America. It has helped launch such brands as Popchips, Honest Tea, Ben & Jerry’s, Stonewall Kitchen, Walker’s Shortbread, Tate’s Bake Shop, ZICO Coconut Water and Vermont Creamery.
25,000+ industry professionals are expected to attend. Registration is now open at fancyfoodshows.com. Registered attendees represent top names in specialty retailing, restaurants and foodservice including Whole Foods, Kroger, Formaggio Kitchen, Starbucks, Trader Joe’s, UNFI, KeHE and Southern Season. Others signed up include Dean & DeLuca, Barnes & Noble College, Zingerman’s, Marriott, and thousands of buyers from local specialty food markets.
The Winter Fancy Food Show is organized by the the Specialty Food Association, a not-for-profit trade association for food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs, that owns and produces the show. Today the Association has 3,600+ member companies worldwide.
SPECIAL EVENTS
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Beginning Saturday January 20th and running until January 23rd, The Specialty Food Association is presenting a full program of workshops and business-building seminars at the Winter Fancy Food Show to help startups, established manufacturers, and buyers at all levels of expertise succeed in the ever-changing marketplace. Full Schedule
LEADERSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY
Sunday, January 21, 2018, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Level 2 Ballroom
The Leadership Awards will celebrate the outstanding modern contributions of Association members in Business Leadership, Citizenship and Vision. Read about Last year’s awards presentation.
FRONT BURNER: FOODSERVICE PITCH COMPETITION
Monday, January 22, 2018, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Level 2 Ballroom
Four exhibitors will pitch their foodservice-ready products to a panel of specialty food buyers in this live competition taking place in front of an audience of show attendees. All contestants will get exposure and feedback on their products and the winner will receive a promotional package from the Specialty Food Association including editorial coverage, advertising, and a pro press release.
INDUSTRY NEWCOMERS
South Hall, Front of 4300 Aisle
The “New Brands on the Shelf” pavilion will feature up-and-coming specialty food producers who are Specialty Food Association Member Candidates. They will showcase dozens of niche and artisanal products.
INCUBATOR ALLEY
Mezzanine Level, outside Esplanade Ballroom
Meet up and-coming specialty food stars at the earliest stage and explore their products before they hit the marketplace.
WHAT’S NEW, WHAT’S HOT! SHOWCASE
North Hall, Lower Lobby
Showcases featuring hundreds of specialty foods representing the hottest trends in new products, natural and organics, and gifts. Provides a snapshot of companies on the exhibit floor.
SPECIALTY FOOD FOUNDATION
The Specialty Food Foundation, established in 2014 by the Specialty Food Association, works to reduce hunger and increase food recovery efforts via grant-making, education and industry events. Learn more at the Foundation’s booth and at specialtyfoodfoundation.org.
GIVING BACK
At the end of the show, exhibitors will continue their long tradition of giving back by donating thousands of pounds of meat, cheese, produce, confections and snacks to the Specialty Food Foundation, which will in turn donate the products to Feed the Hungry, the Winter Fancy Food Show’s longtime charity of choice.
SPECIALTY FOOD INDUSTRY FAST FACTS (2016 FIGURES):
- Total U.S. Specialty Food Sales: $127 billion, up 15 percent since 2014.
- Share of U.S. Sales of Specialty Food:
- Retail: 78 percent
- Foodservice: 22 percent
LARGEST SPECIALTY FOOD CATEGORIES:
- Cheese and Plant-Based Cheese
- Frozen & Refrigerated Meat, Poultry & Seafood
- Chips, Pretzels & Snacks
FASTEST GROWING CATEGORIES:
- Water
- Refrigerated Lunch and Dinner Entrees
- Wellness Bars and Gels
- Frozen Desserts
- Yogurt and Kefir
Exhibitors
A full list of exhibitors can be see at my.fancyfoodshows.com
Social Media: #WFFS18
Facebook: facebook.com/craftcarejoy
Twitter: twitter.com/Specialty_Food #WFFS18
LinkedIn: Specialty Food Industry Group
Pinterest: pinterest.com/craftcarejo
Instagram: specialtyfoodassociation
About the Specialty Food Association
The Specialty Food Association is a thriving community of food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs. Established in 1952 in New York, the not-for-profit trade association provides its 3,600 members in the U.S. and abroad the tools, knowledge and connections to champion and nurture their companies in an always-evolving marketplace. The owns and produces the Winter and Summer Fancy Food Shows, and presents the sofi™ Awards honoring excellence in specialty food. Learn more at specialtyfood.com.
