RIDEPLAY Riding into Summer Bites at the Summer Fancy Food Show 2023

The Sold-out 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show attracted thousands of buyers, innovators, food enthusiast, connoisseurs and influencers. The event was held from June 25-27 at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan, New York City. The show is an annual gathering for world-class specialty food and beverage providers and distributors.  Some of the biggest trends at the show included plant-based foods, functional foods, and sustainable packaging.

My visit was highlighted by the 37 startups, 38 incubators, 10 included companies, a membership collective for BIPOC top executives in CPG who are dedicated to one another’s success, who advocate for diverse representation, and who commit to amplifying BIPOC voices. This exciting partnership guides multiple efforts at the Summer and Winter Fancy Food Shows and is part of a long-term strategy to elevate BIPOC-owned brands in the industry.

Among the highlights were the Sofi Awards for New Product of the Year and Product of the Year that were voted on by buyers during the Summer Fancy Food Show. Mochidoki Vegan Passionfruit Mochi Ice Cream and Lewis Road Creamery 10 Star Certified Salted Butter were awarded the 2023 Sofi Awards for New Product of the Year and Product of the Year. 

What about the leftovers?

Donations Since 1992, the SFA has operated the Fancy Food Show Exhibitor Food Donation program to ensure unused food makes it to community members in need. Nearly 300,000 pounds of food is donated annually through this program. Exhibitor Food Donation Program partners are City Harvest in New York City and Three Square in Las Vegas. In addition to food, reusable items such as furniture, household products and construction materials are donated to local non-profit organizations. For the Summer Fancy Food Show, the SFA works with Freeman and the Javits Care Program to donate these items to local non-profits in the New York City area.