Global Travel Drives Expo West 2018’s Top Trends

(Gerry Furth-Sides, images are courtesy of the National Products Expo West, The New Hope Network ) Natural Products Expo West & Engredea 2018 Announces 10 Food & Consumer Products Trends to watch.

One top trend is The World Traveler. The survey reports that “Thanks to worldly entrepreneurs, shoppers don’t have to go far to get a taste of something new so globally inspired foods are booming.  Behind the businesses making them are founders with stories and personal connections to their products that emanate a sense of authenticity that consumers pick up on.  Product examples: Naughty Noah’s Vietnamese Pho Noodles, Yai’s Thai Spicy Thai Relish, Wünder Creamery Grass Fed Quark.

The 38th annual Natural Products Expo West & Engredea, the world’s largest natural, organic and healthy products event, experienced another record-setting year hosting more than 85,000 attendees including industry pioneers and a new generation of innovators shaping the future of healthy products. The show, produced by New Hope Network, a part of Informa, March 7th-11th at the Anaheim Convention Center, brought together 3,521 exhibiting companies, including more than 600 first-time exhibitors.

Natural Products Expo West is the leading show for tracking the trends that drive innovation in food and consumer products with more than 3,500 exhibiting companies, including more than 600 brands making their Expo West debut.

1)  Environmental Awareness: Companies in‐tune with eco‐conscious consumers have an environmental purpose with measurable actions that are crucial elements of their brand storyline. Product examples: Choice Organic Teas Wellness Teas, Kashi Cinnamon French Toast, Cacoco Drinking Chocolate 75% Mint Dark with Spearmint.

2)  Stress and Sleep Solutions:  A surprising majority of Americans who are sleep deprived, products that encourage wakeful calm and relaxation during the day, and deep uninterrupted sleep at night via adaptogenic herbs, minerals and more. Product examples: Som Sleep, Source Naturals NightWell, Goldthread Plant Based Tonics.

4)  Plant‐Based for All: The recent surge in high‐quality meat and dairy alternatives continues as natural brands innovate with convincing swaps for yogurt, cheese, ice cream and burgers made with healthier nuts, legumes, vegetables and grains. Product examples: COYO Vanilla Bean, Your Super Muscle Power, Frill The Frozen Smoothie Intense Chocolate.

5)  Resource-conscious products. Food businesses that reduce landfill‐bound waste and create cool new offerings by utilizing byproducts as ingredients in their finished products. Product examples: Alvarado Street Bakery Sprouted Wheat & Coffee Flour Bread, Barnana Himalayan Pink Sea Salt Plantain Chips, Portland Pet Food Brew Biscuits.

6)  Tribal Evolution. New‐wave tribal (paleo) eaters tending to adopt tenets rather than a all-or-nothing attitude toward a specific diet and take a balanced approach to finding products with nutrient‐dense, whole‐food ingredients. Product examples: Applegate Naturals No Sugar Bacon, Base Culture Sandwich Bread, LesserEvil Paleo Puffs.

7)Buzz for CBD. Proven, responsible products with Health‐promoting properties of cannabidiol, or CBD, including topical products and supplements. Product examples: Sagely Naturals Hemp CBD Cream, NuLeaf Naturals Full-Spectrum CBD Oil, Barlean’s Organic Ideal CBD Hemp Oil.

8) Accelerating Success through Incubators and accelerators that assist startups by offering office space, training, connections, mentorship, community kitchens and sometimes funds. Product examples: Crunchsters Sprouted Protein Snack, Snow Monkey Superfood Ice Treat, Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee Double Shot.

9) Supporting Regenerative companies in the agriculture and the food industry with the intention to support the harm that’s already been done to the earth is among the richest opportunities for. Product examples: EPIC Oven Baked Pork Rinds, Patagonia Provisions Buffalo Jerky, Serenity Kids 100% Grass Fed Beef with Organic Kale & Sweet Potato.

10) Products that tell a story plus deeply connect and empower consumers are gaining traction DIY is also about customizing food and beverages so people can achieve their best personal health. Product examples: NutraMilk Nut Processor, Creation Nation Protein Bar Mix, Wildway Smoothie Bowl Starter Mix.

To view these trends and products images, for more information on the exhibition, please visit the online gallery at newhope.com.  

Two companies which fit into several of these categories include New Zealand Manuka Honey and Edward & Sons.