The Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) Summer Fancy Food Show will be here before we know it! Taking place June 23–25 in New York City, the show will be bustling with new activities, according to SFA President Bill Lynch.
“There are a ton of new features we’re excited to introduce for this year’s show, all created or reimagined to better serve both exhibitors and attendees. First is the Debut District, a new featured area that makes it easier than ever for attendees to discover the newest of the new,” Bill began telling me. “We’re going to fill two halls at the Javits Center with new products, first-time exhibitors, startups, and incubators, and open the area 30 minutes early each day of the show, giving exhibitors the chance to showcase their products in a buzz-worthy area.”
Jason Buechel, the Chief Executive Officer of Whole Foods Market, will be the event’s keynote speaker on Monday, June 24. Kristen Kish, who’s the new host of Top Chef and an author, will be giving her own talk on the same day. She will also host the reimagined sofi™ Awards Gala, a fun and celebratory party on Monday night that will honor outstanding products, leaders, and brands across the industry.
“Our co-location with Vinexpo America is another great new feature,” Bill continued. “Badges for each show will be honored at the other on June 24 and 25, allowing attendees to tap into the synergy between specialty products and wine and spirits.”
Bill explained that the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show is the place where culinary inspiration meets business opportunity. The energy and passion that manufacturer members bring to their exhibits is what makes this show so great—and SFA will match their efforts with equally creative and impactful ways to connect with buyers, distributors, investors, and peers.
“Our North Star is always our purpose statement: Together, we shape the future of food. That purpose encompasses both the Specialty Food Association as an organization and our individual members, who are the heart and soul of everything we do,” Bill added.
The SFA recently released a report called The Real Value of Specialty Foods, which contained research showing that specialty items deliver two times the retail profits of conventional products. This makes it even more impactful to steer buyers who attend the show to products their customers will love.
“We always want our buyer attendees to discover products they wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else, whether because we’re working with new exhibitors or because our show experience is rigorously optimized for discovery and inspiration,” Bill stated. “Our Buyer Relations team is always listening to feedback and working to improve how we serve buyer attendees.”
Bill left me with some final teasers for the show.
“We are really excited about the additions we’ve made to the sofi Awards program this year, including the Gala, which is going to be so much fun,” he said. “The Summer Show is the best place to get a taste of the newly minted 2024 sofi Gold Award winners, and even meet many of the makers behind the products.”
You heard it here first! For more Summer Fancy Food Show coverage, stick with Deli Market News.
