More than 30,000 specialty food and beverage industry professionals registered for the Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) sold-out 67th Summer Fancy Food Show, which took place June 25-27 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Registration was up 20% over 2022.

The Fancy Food Shows are the largest specialty food industry events in North America for product discovery, trendspotting, and networking. Exhibit space sold out in mid-May, and more than 2,200 domestic and international companies across 40+ specialty food and beverage categories exhibited at the show. In addition to makers and buyers, the show attracted industry affiliates, press, influencers, investors, and trendspotters.  

“As a not-for-profit membership trade association, the Specialty Food Association operates the Fancy Food Shows as a service to our more than 3,000 member companies," said SFA president Bill Lynch. “The Fancy Food Shows were created to help facilitate the growth of the specialty food industry, and they are the premiere destination for those who want to see, taste, and experience the incredible breadth of specialty products available today. Specialty food and beverage makers are innovators and trendsetters, and that was on full display during this year's Summer Fancy Food Show."

Sales of specialty foods and beverages are projected to reach $207 billion in 2023, according to data from the 2023-24 State of the Specialty Food Industry Report. Specialty products make up nearly 22 percent of food sales, up from less than 14 percent a decade ago.

“The 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show felt extremely energized and focused on growth, innovation, and connection. Few industry opportunities present themselves to us that allow us to share our story, products, mission, and values with such a large percentage of the specialty food trade (on both the retail and manufacturing side). The event continues to be a cornerstone of our trade and corporate marketing plan, and we look forward to 2024!” said Brandon Gross, vice president of marketing, FOODMatch & Divina,  producer and importer of Mediterranean specialty foods.

Summer Fancy Food Show Highlights included keynote session celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, who discussed the emerging trends in the food space that are propelling her businesses, including restaurants, catering, and her Italian food and lifestyle website Giadzy. Giada covered the rising demand for at-home culinary experiences, product sourcing strategy, and the public perception of clean ingredients and minimal processing as a function of authenticity, among others.