28 Jul 2022 Some great NPD from the Summer Fancy Food Show
International specialty food shows don’t get bigger States-side than the annual Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, held every June. Here are some notable items of innovation from the 2022 expo, held live after a two-year pandemic absence.
The trade show featured more than 1,700 exhibitors offering specialty foods and beverages from around the world.
In this video, well-known American chef, George Duran, dishes on some of the hottest new food products from the show for ABC News.
Top Trends ID’d
“The specialty food marketplace has grown into a $175-billion industry fueled by the creativity of the producers of these foods and beverages,” noted Denise Purcell, VP content and education at New York-based Specialty Food Association.
“That innovation was on display at the Summer Show, with our Trendspotters Panel highlighting unexpected twists on classics, reconceived packaging options, better-for-you indulgences and comfort foods, global flavours, and growing interest in sustainability and ethical production.”
The trends noted by the SFA panel at the 2022 Summer Fancy Food Show were:
- Surprising sips: Beverages with unexpected flavours and ingredients, including spicy sodas, coffee made of figs, and drinks spiked with everything from alcohol to sparkles.
- Packaging innovations: Single-serve, compostable, greater portability with less mess.
- Vegetable chips: Vacuum- or flash-fried tomatoes, mushrooms, and vegetables bringing new options to the ever-evolving chip category.
- Sustainable and ethical choices: Foods and beverages with sustainable and ethical characteristics, from upcycled or regeneratively grown ingredients to products that support the livelihoods of underserved communities.
- Alternative comfort food: A Trendspotter Panel pick as a top trend of 2022, with bases like sunflower seeds, tigernut flour, chickpeas, bananas and peas now emerging.
- Peppers are hot: Another top trend for 2022, peppers and traditional pepper sauces and condiments from around the globe.
- Play with your food: Whimsical products such as edible candles and animal-shaped cheese delighting kids of all ages.
Other noteworthy products discovered by the panel included infused ice honey, a modern take on a traditional Indian frozen dessert, chocolates with South Asian-inspired flavours, umami powder, and freeze-dried candies and ice creams.
Source: ABC News; ProgressiveGrocer.com