The 56th Summer Fancy Food Show, organized by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NAFST), took place from June 27-29 in New York City. It’s the largest marketplace for specialty food and beverages in the U.S., with 2,400 exhibitors from 80 countries showcasing 180,000 products. The NAFST picked a panel of food experts to spot the major trends at the show. Here’s what stood out:
- Great vinegars in innovative flavors, including hibiscus, walnut champagne, peach balsamic, lime rice and apple ice wine vinegar
- Indian products go mainstream. Curry ketchup, cashews and cream cooking sauce, tandoori chicken naanwich and tikka masala marinara were a few examples
- Grains, nuts and seeds showed up in sweet and savory items, such as flax seed crackers, oat and corn cakes, pumpkin palooza nut confections and lentil chips
- Squash, pumpkin and sweet potato starred in butternut squash pasta sauce, pumpkin salsa, sweet potato butter, butternut squash tart, and sweet potato chocolate
- Handcrafted local heritage foods covered many categories such as soups, pickles and sweets. Fresh takes on classics included Linekin Bay Lobster Corn Chowder, Brooklyn Pickles, Wild West Steak Rub and Sticky Toffee Pudding
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