Winter Fancy Food Show Opens In San Francisco Odwalla Founder Greg Steltenpohl To Deliver Keynote

The 37th Winter Fancy Food Show opens today at Moscone Center in San Francisco with sold-out exhibit halls, a new mix of buyers from top names in retailing and restaurants, and new foods and beverages from emerging companies and industry veterans alike.

The show runs January 15 - 17. It is the largest marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast, and the largest ever in exhibit space in San Francisco, its longtime West Coast home. It opens as the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. (NASFT), the show's owner, celebrates its 60th anniversary.

The exhibit halls will be filled with 80,000 specialty products representing the latest in chocolate, cheese, olive oil, spices, ethnic specialties and natural and organic products from food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs from 35+ countries and regions.

Among 1,300 exhibitors, more than 160 specialty food companies are new to the show, and a special section features 30 emerging food entrepreneurs. Italy has the largest international pavilion, followed by Germany, France and Canada. The American Cheese Society presents dozens of artisanal cheeses; the Brewers Association has a pavilion with craft brewers from Hawaii to Maine.

"After a period of caution, the specialty food industry has a new vibrancy and our show is reflecting that," says NASFT President Ann Daw. "Our exhibit space sold out well in advance and we are seeing new buyers from major hotels, restaurants, and even senior living facilities."

Show highlights include a keynote address, "Doing Well by Doing Good," by Greg Steltenpohl, founder of Odwalla Juices and current CEO of Califia Farms, who will be joined by Deb Nelson, executive director of the Social Venture Network.

Other show highlights include:

- What's New, What's Hot! display with hundreds of new products, gift ideas, natural and organic products, and the latest from participants in NASFT's Diversity Program

- International pavilions from Japan, China, Poland, Morocco and Chile

- More than 360 exhibitors from California, the largest state presence

- 20+ seminars, including The Basics: The Business of Specialty Foods

- Guided Tastings: American Artisan Cheeses; New World Olive Oil; Salt & Pepper

- Tours: San Francisco Artisan Food Producers; Behind the Scenes at Specialty Retailers

- Business Builders 1-1, a customized match-making program for buyers and suppliers

- sofi Awards Showcase, featuring the Gold Winners of the NASFT's sofi Awards for the outstanding specialty products of the year in 33 categories

- Green Efforts: extensive recycling and food composting throughout show

- Giving Back: Major food donation to Bay Area food pantries at end of show
The Fancy Food Show is open to professionals in the specialty food trade only. It is closed to the general public. Attendee registration is open throughout the show at www.fancyfoodshows.com.

About the NASFT

The NASFT is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Based in New York City, is a not-for-profit trade association established in 1952 that fosters trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food trade. The NASFT's website for consumers, foodspring.com, provides an insider's look at specialty foods and the entrepreneurs and artisans behind them. For more information, go to http://foodspring.com/about/nasft. For information about the NASFT's and its Fancy Food Shows, go to www.specialtyfood.com

Fancy Food Show Exhibitor News: www.specialtyfood.com/exhibitornews