The Summer Fancy Food Show is back in New York with its largest show ever. The exhibit halls have been sold out for weeks as specialty food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs seek to tap into record demand for specialty foods and beverages from across the U.S. and around the world.
The show takes place June 30 – July 2, 2013, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Now in its 59th year, it is the largest marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty foods and beverages in North America. The exclusive trade event will fill more than 354,000 square feet of exhibit space at the newly-renovated Javits Center, including its new hall, Javits Center North.
This year’s event features a new look, and marks the official launch of the Specialty Food Association’s new brand to promote and recognize the industry: Specialty. Food. Craft. Care. Joy. The newly-named Association, formerly the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. created, owns, and operates the Fancy Food Show.
“Interest in specialty food is at an all-time high as consumers seek top-quality foods from purveyors who bring passion and commitment to their offerings,” says Ann Daw, president of the Specialty Food Association. “The people behind the products will be very much in the spotlight at our show.”
The Summer Fancy Food Show returns to New York City after two years in Washington, while the Javits Center was undergoing a renovation. More than 20,000 buyers from top names in retailing, restaurants, and other venues including Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Agata & Valentina, Savor the Flavor, Dean & DeLuca, Roche Bros., Bloomingdale’s, Alaska Air, and Foxwoods Resort Casino are expected to attend the event to source new products and spot trends. Their finds at the show will land on store shelves and restaurant menus later this year.
In addition to 1,500 U.S. exhibitors selling the finest in blue cheese from Oregon to spicy chocolate from Tennessee, there will be 34 international pavilions, including first-time pavilions from Bulgaria, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Switzerland. The Caribbean will be well represented with food manufacturers from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. Italy boasts the largest international presence, followed by Turkey, France and Spain.
U.S. exhibitors will have new opportunities to connect with buyers from countries including China, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil, who are participating in a special international buyers program.
Internationally-acclaimed Chef Marcus Samuelsson is the keynote presenter and will announce the winners of the 41st annual sofi awards for the outstanding specialty foods and beverages of the year at a red-carpet ceremony on Monday, July 1. Samuelsson is the chef behind New York’s Red Rooster Harlem, Ginny’s Supper Club and American Table Cafe and Bar by Marcus Samuelsson, a committed philanthropist, and The New York Times-bestselling author of Yes, Chef.
Samuelsson is donating his speaking fee to City Harvest, the Summer Fancy Food Show’s longtime charity of choice. At the end of the show, exhibitors will donate more than 120,000 pounds of chocolate, cheese, produce and more to City Harvest to help feed New Yorkers in need.
