Showing posts with label Expo East. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Expo East. Show all posts

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Expo East 2015 Gluten Free Findings


Gluten Free Food Trends

It was another successful natural products expo east in Baltimore, MD this year. Crowds of business pros united conducting meetings, showcasing new offerings and opportunities, that one day may result in new product launches for the rest of the shopping world. I set out on the show floor, and I'm here now to report on trends, unique findings, see if GMOs are here (hope not) and educate to you our natural and gluten free community.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Natural Products Expo East 2015


Education & Events 

September 16–19, 2015

Trade Show

September 17–19, 2015


Location

Baltimore Convention Center, MD USA


It's one of the most important occasions of the year for natural products. The "natural" here is legit and that term cannot be used loosely anymore. The Natural Products Expo East show is striving for supporting the increase of organic, non GMO (genetically modified organisms) and sustainable industry! Manufacturers, distributors, brokers, retailers, suppliers, services, speakers, leaders and agents of change connect to uplift the natural industry to continue it's acceleration into overtaking the new mainstream way of living. Why? Because most produce in the grocery store is GMO and the packaged goods also use a lot of low quality ingredients :( 

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Natural Products Expo East 2014 Blogger Favorites

It was an exciting few days in Baltimore assisting with the Natural Products Expo East We Blog Team. Led by the fantastic New Hope 360, a digital marketplace for suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers to connect healthy lifestyle industry news and people. Along with other bloggers, it was a remarkable opportunity for a group of committed people with same mutual interest of providing transparency and opportunity for all those committed to the natural foods mission.  See my top three favorites, Hampton Creek's Just Mayo, Suja Juice and Capellos or click below. 

4 food bloggers' favorite bites 

from Natural Products Expo East 2014

New Hope 360 Sep 30, 2014






Saturday, September 13, 2014

Natural Products Expo East 2014 Expectations



It's one of two exciting times of the year for 2014, Natural Products Expo East comes to Baltimore (the other show, Expo West, is in the Spring in California). Even though this is a trade show, I attend to shed light on what's happening for my community who need to know where to go, what to trust, and what's trending.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Natural Products Trending From Expo East


 

Expo East 2013 natural food show was terrific! There were new products seeking distribution and existing products that were making heads turn. So when you walk down the aisle of your grocery store tomorrow, one that actually has innovative and natural products vs a traditional grocery who rarely has organic and/or gluten-free, there likely will continue to be even more trending ingredients on the shelf snagging your eye heading into next year...

FOOD TRENDS
  1. Ingredient Transparency: More than ever founders, marketers and their team are in tune with all of the raw ingredients, manufacturing protocol and food allergen information vs the past. Each chooses their own list of priority but it's good to see that they are more aware and open to share.
  2. Gluten-Free (GF): Albeit this phrase is almost everywhere and it's on many labels not everyone is getting GF certifications. Brands find it a real health issue, but as for consumer product labeling (A) brands believe it's still too expensive (B) claim the product already is "naturally gluten-free" despite it's possible contamination and don't need labeling (C) it's on their list of allergens to certify and/or self test
  3. Non GMO: It was the #1 buzz word this year and I was loving it! Look out for the documentary GMO OMG and go bring everyone you know to watch and support it. Very few vendors were from another planet not featuring this a selling point and/or knew nothing about this practice. 
  4. Chia: The miracle seed is found in everything from water, flavored drinks, milk, crackers, flours, chips, breads and tons more
  5. Raw: Everything and it's mother is raw including solo and combos of coconut water, tea, kombucha, maple syrup water, super veggies and energy bars
  6. Energy Bars: Look out for organic meat, jerkys, chia, raw fruits and veggies, veggie proteins and chocolates. Copy cat traditional brands are following yet look at how different the ingredients will be. 
  7. Kale: It's in and around everything. Perhaps the wise President Clinton's affinity for kale helped a bit ;) but it's better to have this on the market than a GMO corn chip that America still consumes. 
  8. Chips: I found the names of chips to be more creative yet also experienced they have less seasonings on the chip compared to the double sided coating that is out there! Even traditional brands have opened emerging divisions to offer a more natural chip product making them more competitive in this growing space.
  9. Popcorn: Smart, air popped, no oils or butter, flavored with truffle oil, half popped, non GMO, it was popping everywhere without the pooping!
  10. Water: Since we can't live without it, there continues to be innovation from different sources such as deep underground American resources, Korean, maple syrup trees, coconut, vitamin enriched this and that.


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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Expo East 2013 Organic Harvest Fest


Good Boy Organics Bops and Organicasaurus 

Urban Moonshine Bitters and tonics

Alter Eco Chocolate and quinoa

Le Pain Des Fleurs Buckwheat, chesnut and quinoa crispbread

I drove into Baltimore at noon today and it was 78 and sunny! I walked through the Baltimore Convention Center entrance and Expo East banners and sidewalk logos excited me, badges were hanging from necks, vendors were unloading and the chit chat was underway on the patio for Organic Harvest Fest. As I walked further into the light there was an unlimited sampling of organic and sustainable goodness and lots of laughing and smiles ear to ear. The buzz from educational workshops for those in the manufacturing and retail world were another sign of a solid day. My hunt for the most innovative gluten-free goodies had begun!

I began engaging with various vendors, distributors, brokers, marketers and I was specifically impressed with the ingredients used in many new products that I hadn't purchased before.  I gently probed into their gluten-free claims and almost all of them were certified gluten-free through GIG which was reassuring. Those who were not GF labeled had obtained other third party gluten-free claims under 20ppm or better, but hadn't launched revise package yet.  As our talks grew deeper they were each willing and able to share the depth of their raw materials and manufacturing practices to assure me they care about the true gluten-free consumer whom has Celiac Disease. My expectation for more natural food consumer packaged good (CPG) brands to label gluten-free appropriately showed promise.


Monday, September 23, 2013

Expo East Natural Food Show Launches September 25th



It's almost here... Expo East is at Baltimore Convention Center and all of the most innovative natural foods, beverages, and mobile apps will be here presenting their products and services with guest speakers beginning on September 25-28th.  If you haven't been here before or heard of the event, consider this reminder your lucky day...
What Is Expo East?
  • About 1,600 exhibitors will be on display at the largest trade show on the east coast!  The smallest and largest natural food and beverages, apps, health and beauty, marketers, chefs, media and customers all over the world will be checking it out. Also seek out key note speakers and other terrific speaking engagements with your registration type. If you live within 1-2 hours from Baltimore driving then it's ideal for you to take the step and register.  
Why Attend Expo East?
  • Because you care about the food business, your health and the manufacturing practices that are used in making better tasting, healthy and innovation for a better planet! If you care about natural foods, gluten-free, vegan, allergy friendly and/or green products, to name a few then check it and share with everyone you know that may be interested. If not, then keep eating unhealthy and miss out on what's trending in the real world.