They tasted, bought, and sold … attendees experienced it all at this year’s co-located Western Foodservice Show and Expo Comida Latina. This event partnership combined the best of the mainstream food service world with the emerging retail market substance of Hispanic food and beverage.
This crossover appeal of the co-location was evident; Foodservice and Retail buyers alike had the opportunity to check out what is hot and happening in the Hispanic food world in the US and south of the border - from Oaxacan Cheese, which tastes similar to string chesses found in Europe, to premium Mescals, not to be confused with Tequila.
With more than 70% of U.S. households buying ethnic products today, and the U.S. Hispanic population growing at a faster pace than any other segment, the demand for authentic products and flavors is higher than ever. Expo Comida Latina offered buyers in an opportunity to explore new products and meet the growing consumer demand. Product manufacturers seeking to launch new products, and those with existing products, found solutions to navigating the burgeoning multi-cultural food demands in the U.S., from label design to setting up distribution, and success on store shelves.
Over the last few years, Expo Comida Latina has been the bridge for authentic international companies to bring new products to the growing US market. For instance, agave nectar was first introduced at Expo Comida Latina 5 years ago, and is now found on the shelves of major retailers such as Whole Foods and Kroger.
This year, some of the new products featured at the show were:
- Sanissimo Oven Baked Nachos
- The Bomb Steak (Authentic Carne Asada)
- Mi Lupe exotic chili infused dried fruit snacks
- Diana’s Sports Salsa
“We had a Costco buyer interested in our authentic carne asada meat product. Attending this year’s Expo Comida Latina opened up some great retail and food service distribution contacts for us,” says Kevin La Bries, founder of X Foods, the Los Angeles based maker of ‘The Bomb Steak.’
In addition to traditional food and beverage products, Expo Comida Latina also featured functional foods, such as Salba, a whole food supplement from Peru that is high in Omega-3 and fiber.
For more information visit www.expocomidalatina.com
About Expo Comida Latina
Expo Comida Latina launched in Los Angeles in 2002. The event was created to meet the needs of the under-served Hispanic food and beverage market. At the Expo, foodservice and retail buyers are able to find authentic Latin products while suppliers can see existing customers, meet new ones and make sales - all in a three-day span.
About Diversified Business Communications
Diversified Business Communications, based in Portland, Maine, provides information and market access through trade events, magazine publishing, and online resources on four continents. Diversified serves a number of industries including: seafood, foodservice, natural and organic, commercial marine, and business management. Diversified operates divisions in Australia, Hong Kong, the UK and Canada.
For more information, visit: www.divbusiness.com
