News Releases

Registration Open for Winter Fancy Food Show
Must-Attend Event for Specialty Food Insiders

NEW YORK (Nov. 2, 2015) -- The Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco is shaping up to be the largest in its 41-year history, with more of the latest specialty foods and beverages to discover than ever before.  The show takes place Jan. 17 – 19, 2016, at Moscone Center.

The sold-out exhibit halls will be filled with thousands of new products from California to Texas to Maine, and 26 countries. Italy boasts the largest international showing with 50 exhibitors, followed by Japan, France, Germany and Mexico.

Registration is now open at fancyfoodshows.com.

As the largest marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast, the show is the place to be for buyers from top names in retailing and restaurants to spot trends, find new foods, and make new connections. For the second year in a row, BizBash named it the second most significant trade show and convention in San Francisco.

“Specialty food is enjoying record sales as consumers look for the very best in the foods they buy,” says Ann Daw, president of the Specialty Food Association, owner and producer of the Winter Fancy Food Show. “The distinctive products buyers find at our show will result in top-quality products for consumers where they shop and dine.”

Show highlights include Shelf Showdown, a specialty food pitch competition where specialty food producers will pitch their new products to a panel of buyers, investors and others, which will take place on Saturday, Jan. 16, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. before the show’s official opening. It is part of an education program focused on smart growth and innovation that is targeted to all levels of the specialty food industry from industry newcomers to established manufacturers.

Other show highlights include:

  • Opening night party
  • State Pavilions from Kansas, Minnesota and Virginia, and New York food makers under the banner “Brooklyn Goes Global.”
  • New Brands on the Shelf pavilion with 30 food start-ups
  • What’s New, What’s Hot showcases with hundreds of on-trend products
  • Specialty Food Association’s fourth annual Leadership Awards
  • Signature workshop: The Basics: The Business of Specialty Food
  • Business Builders, matchmaking event pairing exhibitors with buyers for one-on-one meetings
  • Major food donation 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. Established in 1952 in New York, the not-for-profit trade association provides its 3,000 members in the U.S. and abroad with resources, 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.

Media Contact:
Louise Kramer, Communications Director, 646-878-0130lkramer@specialtyfood.com

Event Hashtag: #WFFS16

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