Change is in the air for 2025, kicking off with what many in the industry mark as the true start of a new year: the Winter Fancy Food Show.
Winter it did feel as we gathered in Las Vegas, with attendees braving cold desert wind to catch up in person, reconnect, and discuss what is on the horizon for businesses and the industry at large.
"This was an amazing year at the Winter Fancy Food Show. Thank you so much to the nearly 1,100 exhibitors for putting together an incredible showcase of innovative, on-trend, delicious products and to the 12,000 industry professionals who came looking for the next big thing in specialty food," Specialty Food Association (SFA) President Bill Lynch shared. "As we say goodbye to the Winter Fancy Food Show and Las Vegas and look to the future with Winter FancyFaire* 2026 in San Diego, the energy and curiosity about what our new first-of-the-year show will bring is contagious. From the whole SFA team, thank you again to everyone who joined us this year for three great days of discovery and connection."
The Specialty Foods Association invited us all to dig into new product spotlights and live chef demonstrations over more than 10,000 square feet, as well as showcasing periodic presentations and discussions on a Main Stage amid the trade show floor.
"This has been the best Fancy Food Show yet," Isaac Javed, Business Operations and Strategy Manager for AJ’s Market and Natural Foods, shared with me. "I think a lot of people have more distribution, as a retailer that is an advantage walking the floor. I’ve seen a lot of new products and it’s been great."
Little did many know that this is the last Winter Fancy Food Show as we know it, with the unveiling of not just a new location in 2026, but new identity, Winter FancyFaire*.
“SFA is sunsetting the Winter Fancy Food Show,” SFA released in a statement. “There’s so much to look forward to at Winter FancyFaire* 2026, from the incredible food culture of San Diego to new ways to connect with suppliers on and off the Show Floor to the announcement of the next sofi™ Award winners during the event.”
Looking forward to a season of firsts—first-rate connections, first-look innovations, and first looks at the future of specialty food—the announcement was met with a buzz of anticipation on the show floor.
"Exceptionally well attended," commented Jack Lincer, Vice President of Retail Sales for Belgioioso. "We had a lot of great meetings with distribution partners. I had a lot of fun walking the floor and exploring the innovation in the food space. It’s great to start the new year seeing our retail partners as well as a lot of new faces. I’ve seen a lot of innovation not just with us but our peers, so we are looking forward to what 2025 has in store for our industry. I’m very excited about San Diego and intrigued to see what they do with the new branding."
Face-Off Award
Congratulations go out to pi00a and its Frozen Miso Eggplant Pizza, which took the title at the Specialty Food Association’s Fancy Face-Off Pitch Competition. From more than 50 entries, four finalists were selected to pitch their new-to-market products to the judges and the specialty food and culinary professionals in the audience for the Grand Prize worth more than $20,000.
"The show was very good, we are consolidating our partnership in the states exploring existing and new customers interested in our program," Giuseppe Ficacci, Marketing and Export, Ficacci Olive Co., added. "We are continuing to invest in sustainable packaging and seeing a lot of interest from customers. Olives have a very large variety with a lot of opportunity to use them for everything from dressings and salads to new dishes. The opportunity to show and use these in different ways to inspire buyers how to inspire consumers."
With so much going on both on the show floor and behind the scenes, numbers are still being counted for the dynamic turn out to this final appearance for WFFS as we know it.
Stay tuned for more updates on attendance, demographics, and more as we continue to report. For now, I sit in gratitude reflecting on what was my very first show 10 years ago as it closes this chapter. I look forward to seeing its rebirth in 2026 in San Diego, California!
