Registration Open for Winter Fancy Food Show

NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest in specialty foods and beverages from across the U.S. and around the world will be on display at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. The show takes place Jan. 11 – 13, 2015, at Moscone Center.

Exhibit space has virtually sold out amid record sales and growing consumer interest in specialty food. Now in its 40^th year, the show is the largest marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty food on the West Coast. It is a must-attend event for buyers for top names in retailing and foodservice to spot trends and find new products for the year to come.

Registration is now open at fancyfoodshows.com.

"The specialty food industry is thriving as consumers seek out better food for all their dining needs," says Ann Daw, president of the Specialty Food Association, the show's owner and producer. "Our show will provide buyers the unique opportunity to connect with food makers and importers who are bringing creativity and innovation to the market."

A highlight of the show is a special thought leader session with Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and chairman of Stonyfield Farm, one of the world's leading organic yogurt producers. He will share his experience and insights about entrepreneurship, good growth, differentiation, and more. The session, which will take place on Tuesday, January 13 from 8:30-9:45am before the exhibit hall opens, is part of a full menu of education events targeted to all levels of the industry, including newcomers, seasoned food manufacturers and retailers.

The exhibit halls will be filled with more than 1,300 exhibitors from 30+ countries and regions with some 80,000 products ranging from bean-to-bar chocolate, cheeses and olive oil to organic snacks, ancient grains and new twists on green tea.

There will be pavilions from Kansas, Virginia and Maine, strong showings from Vermont and Minnesota, several New York food makers under the banner "Brooklyn Goes Global," and hundreds of food artisans and entrepreneurs from California and most every state. International pavilions include Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Ecuador, Thailand and Japan, among others. Full exhibitor list.

Other show highlights include:

• Specialty Food Association's third annual Leadership Awards honoring influential and innovative entrepreneurs who are transforming the way the specialty food industry does business.
• Announcement of Association's new Hall of Fame inductees honoring those individuals whose accomplishments, impact, contributions, innovations, and successes within the specialty food industry deserve praise and recognition.
• Business Builders – Customized matchmaking program pairing exhibitors with key buyers for one-on-one sessions.
• The Basics – One-day workshop on fundamentals of specialty food.
• New Brands on the Shelf section featuring more than 30 emerging food entrepreneurs.
• What's New, What's Hot showcases with hundreds of on-trend products
• sofi™ Awards Showcase featuring winners of the Specialty Food Association's annual food awards.
• Major donation of food from exhibitors at show's end to Bay Area anti-hunger programs.

Press Registration
The Fancy Food Show is a trade-only event. The Specialty Food Association provides complimentary press badges to qualified media. Learn more and register.

About the Specialty Food Association
The Specialty Food Association is a thriving community of food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs who bring craft, care and joy to the distinctive foods they produce. Established in 1952 in New York, the not-for-profit trade association provides its 3,000 members in the U.S. and abroad the tools, knowledge and connections to champion and nurture their companies in an always-evolving marketplace. The Association 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.

Facebook: facebook.com/craftcarejoy 
Twitter: twitter.com/craftcarejoy 
LinkedIn: Specialty Food. Craft. Care. Joy.
Pinterest: pinterest.com/craftcarejoy

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141030/155585
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140714/126744

SOURCE Specialty Food Association

Related Links

http://www.specialtyfood.com