Essential Cane, our Bronze Star winner from the
2009 Winter Fancy Show, dazzled with a dozen
flavors of cane sugar, including Green Chili,
Habañero and Sweet Onion. Who took the
Silver? See the complete article. |
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Amazing! In the midst of an economic downturn, the 34th Winter Fancy Food Show matched all-time records with 16,000 attendees at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, who arrived with enthusiasm to peruse the 1,250 exhibitors—including more than 100 newcomers. Having walked all 198,000 square feet of the show several times, I tried dutifully to sample each of the 180,000 specialty food and beverage products. Tough job, but someone has to do it. If you think all that walking offsets all those calories—it doesn’t.
Why was the show so busy during such gloomy economic times? The show organizers, industry trade association NASFT, and market research firm Mintel, remind us that few parts of the retail/grocery world show proof that more than 90% of their categories have been growing since 2004. Amid current economic conditions, consumers are dining more often at home, and specialty foods and beverages will benefit. It’s easier to treat yourself to good food products than a good restaurant meal.
Read Contributing Editor Andy Whitman’s observations, and see which favorite products from the show received THE NIBBLE editors’ Gold, Silver and Bronze Stars.
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