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Gama spoke to Leana Salamah, SVP Marketing & Communications, Specialty Food Association, ahead of the latest edition of the Summer Fancy Food Show.
What are your expectations for this edition of the Summer Fancy Food Show? What features are there for visitors to look forward to?
We’re incredibly excited for the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show. In addition to many returning popular features, this year’s show will make it easier than ever for attendees to discover the newest of the new by introducing the Debut District, a featured area dedicated exclusively to new products, first-time exhibitors, startups and incubators. Our co-location with Vinexpo America on June 24 and 25 is another really exciting draw, because badges for each show will be honored at the other, and there’s so much synergy between specialty products and wine and spirits. And more to be announced soon!
What key trends are shaping the specialty food space in 2024?
From a category and product standpoint, SFA trendspotters did a great job at the Winter Fancy Food Show in January outlining trends to watch. Sustainability is clearly on specialty food consumers’ minds. Plant-based options have been popular for a while, and this year we’re watching plant-based dishes and snacks with international flavours take off. Upcycled ingredients were also big at the Winter Show, even appearing in whisky.
From a market-level standpoint, there is huge consumer energy for convenience, and also ‘less-is-more’ when it comes to ingredients. Then, of course, inflation continues to impact SFA members and all specialty food manufacturers.
How should companies in the sector ensure success in the face of ongoing industry headwinds?
The major headwind is inflation. In our conversations with SFA members in a variety of roles, several key strategies rise to the top: putting a laser focus on the cost of goods sold, pricing architecture, and dynamic pricing as needed; taking care of employees even in down times and leaning on community and partners to find efficiencies; and emphasizing value and quality to continue engaging dedicated specialty food consumers.
About the Summer Fancy Food Show
Get ready to see, sample, and discover at the 68th Summer Fancy Food Show, June 23-25, 2024, in New York City. Serving up the newest and best in specialty food and beverage, the Summer Fancy Food Show attracts thousands of diverse makers, buyers, brokers, distributors, and industry professionals from across the U.S. and the globe for three days of delicious product discovery, fruitful networking, and inspiring business opportunities.
https://www.specialtyfood.com/fancy-food-shows/summer
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