Post-show Recap: Summer Fancy Food Show Showcases Latest F&B Trends, Welcomes New Exhibitors
July 8, 2024
Food and beverage purveyors from around the world descended on the Javits Center from June 23-25 for the 68th iteration of the Summer Fancy Food Show, which spanned 330,000 square feet of the iconic New York City convention center.
Fueled by a seemingly endless supply of samples from a staggering 2,400 exhibitors, the 29,000-plus food industry professionals in attendance certainly got their steps in over the course of the three-day trade show.
Flavorful Features
Similar to the Summer Fancy Food Show the Specialty Food Association (SFA) hosted last year at Javits, the bi-level show floor was entirely sold out. This year’s edition set itself apart, however, with the debut of the Debut District, which highlighted first-time exhibitors, as well as innovative new products and startups in the F&B space.
SFA President Bill Lynch noted that the inaugural Debut District “opened 30 minutes early each day of the show, and a full hour early for key buyers with early access,” giving rookie exhibitors a chance to cut through the noise of a bustling trade show floor packed with veteran booths. To further support budding brands in the space, “SFA also teamed up with Pola marketing agency to offer SFA members complimentary high-end product photoshoots to support their growth,” Lynch added.
Elsewhere around the bustling exhibitor floor, there were areas designated to global destinations like Africa, Peru, Canada, Spain—the show’s partner country—and across Asia. The “Plant-Based Pavillion” appealed to different appetites, and state pavilions boasted cuisines unique to U.S. states, where New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, among others, were in attendance.
“There was a really great alignment this year between a key consumer trend and the Fancy Food Show’s trademark exhibitor diversity,” Lynch said. “Our U.S.-based buyers know that demand for flavors, ingredients, and products from around the world is skyrocketing, and we were proud to host exhibitors from 56 countries at this year’s sold-out show.”
Tasty Trends on Tap
Insights also abounded at the Summer Fancy Food Show’s keynote education session, dubbed “Savoring the Future,” which featured Whole Foods CEO Jason Buechel and was hosted by Today Show Food producer Katie Stilo.
In another trend-spotting moment, Lynch said that “some of the most common attributes among products at this year’s show were gluten-free and vegan formulas; meanwhile, we know that consumers are aiming for healthier and more climate-conscious eating habits.” Lynch added that the uptick in health- and environmentally-conscious products is “a snapshot into how consumers will be eating in the future.”
“We expect all future Fancy Food Shows to deliver similar insights,” he noted ahead of the next edition—the 2025 Winter Fancy Food Show, which is returning Jan. 19-21 to the Las Vegas Convention Center.
He added that SFA has a designated Trendspotting team that compiles an “On the Radar” list that predicts the season’s upcoming tasty hits.
The 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show will return June 29-July 1 to the Javits Center.
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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