Specialty Food Association Reveals Top Trends From 2022 Summer Fancy Food Show; Denise Purcell Comments

Trend alert! Following its 66^th Summer Fancy Food Show (SFFS), the Specialty Food Association (SFA) Trendspotter Panel has announced its Top Trends from the show and is spotlighting some products from the more than 1,700 exhibitors in attendance.

“The specialty food marketplace has grown into a $175 billion industry fueled by the creativity of the producers of these foods and beverages,” said Denise Purcell, SFA’s Vice President, Content and Education. “That innovation was on display at the Summer Show with our Trendspotters highlighting unexpected twists on classics, reconceived packaging options, better-for-you indulgences and comfort foods, global flavors, and growing interest in sustainability and ethical production.”

Taking place June 12–14 at the Javits Center in New York City, New York, the show featured a myriad of products in the specialty foods and beverage categories from around the globe, a release explained. Throughout the event, the Trendspotter Panel tasted offerings in search of those gaining prominence in the specialty food industry.

The Summer Trendspotter Panel included Melanie Zanoza Bartelme, from Mintel; Mikel Cirkus of Firmenich; Jenn de la Vega at Put A Egg on It; Jonathan Deutsch, Ph.D., CHE, CRC, from Drexel University; Victoria Ho of SherpaCPG; Lindsay Leopold, with Martha Stewart (Marquee Brands); Patsy Ramirez-Arroyo at Homera Caribbean & LATAM; Stan Sagner, the Founder of We Work for Food, LLC - Consultancy; and Kantha Shelke, Ph.D., CFS, IFT Fellow, with Corvus Blue LLC.

In the end, the Top Trends from the 2022 SFFS include:

• Surprising Sips - Beverages with unexpected flavors and ingredients; from spicy sodas to coffee made of figs to drinks spiked with everything from alcohol to sparkles
• Packaging Innovations - Single-serve, compostable, increased portability with decreased mess are just some trends in packaging seen at the Summer Show
• Vegetable Chips - Vacuum- or flash-fried tomatoes, mushrooms, and vegetables are bringing new alternatives to the ever-innovative chip category
• Sustainable and Ethical Choices - From upcycled or regeneratively grown ingredients to products that support the livelihoods of underserved communities, foods, and beverages with sustainable and ethical characteristics continue to join the market
• Alternative Comfort Food - This pick is still going strong, with bases like sunflower seeds, tigernut flour, chickpeas, bananas, and peas emerging
• Peppers Are Hot - Peppers and traditional pepper sauces and condiments from around the world continue to be prominent
• Play with Your Food - Whimsical products from edible candles to animal-shaped cheese are delighting kids and kids at heart

Want to see more products you can add to your shelves to meet these trends? Click here.

For more product trends and popular offerings from across the specialty sector, keep reading Deli Market News.