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Top Trends Spotted at the US’ Largest Natural and Organic Products Trade Show

Image from Natural Products Expo west

By Susan Able with contribution from Maddy Beckwith | Edible DC

Expo West, the largest US trade show for natural and organic products, is took place last week, March 7-11, in Anaheim, CA. The trade show is hosted more than 3,000 exhibiting companies and had over 67,000 registered attendees.

Edible DC got a firsthand report from DC attendee, Maddy Beckwith, who was on the exhibit floor for several days and she summed up the top 5 trends she saw in new natural and organic food products.

From top, clockwise: Scout seafood with toppers, meati patties on the grill, oats over night and Mush.

  1. More and more “Plant-Based” meats and eats. A great example is Meati, a Denver-based company that makes animal-free, whole-food protein nutrient-rich mushroom roots. The company is on a path to expansion, but for now you can find their product at Sprouts in Herndon, VA.

  2. Many examples of "Functional Beverages" lots of drinks with Adaptogens with ingredients from ginseng to CBD that are designed to increase mental alertness and energy, or helping you relax. And lots of examples of Mushroom-based beverages—think reishi mushrooms that some believe have potential health benefits, including boosting the immune system and fighting cancer.

  3. Lots of food makers thinking way beyond the potato potato chip—a proliferation of Vegetable Chips and Fruit Chips. Even Torres, a potato chip maker since 1969, has introduced Beetroot, Parsnip and Sweet Potato Chips as well as Broad Beans Chips with Amaranth and Chia Seeds.

  4. The emergence of "Toppers" — individual and bulk packaged crunchy toppers (to be used as a snack or literal topper on a meal or salad). An example is Vancover, BC-based Scout Seafood Snacks, sustainably sourced seafood (tuna, salmon, etc.) in a tin with a crunchy mix-in topper.

  5. So many "Overnight Oats" to be found throughout the expo. Two examples are Oats Overnight and MUSH. Both are packaged oats that come already “overnight” soft from being mixed with protein milk. These are protein and fiber rich, dairy-free, gluten-free immediate breakfast options.