CookIt rounded out a month of traveling with one last stop in Anaheim, CA for Expo West, the leading trade show in the natural, organic, and healthy products industry. Laurie (CEO), Molly (VP), and Heather (Director of Talent) laced up their comfiest shoes and spent two days discovering exciting brands, getting some face time with #CookItCrew members Jill and Lexi, and trying every type of plant-based chicken nugget imaginable.
Here are their biggest takeaways from the event:
Trends:
- Canned beverages: functional, energy drinks, mocktails, and more!
- Plant based proteins: chicken, seafood, hot dogs, and egg replacements
- “Good” and “evil” branding
- Everything bagel flavor
- Seaweed
- Mushroom jerky
- Non-dairy ice cream
- Better-for-you-pasta and pasta alternatives
- Healthy chocolate
- Low-sugar cake mixes
- Coffee brands
- Alternative puddings and oatmeals
- Vegan varietal cheeses and vegan cheese that actually melts!
- Healthy crackers
- Tofu as an alternative (not standalone)
Tasty products and exciting brands:
- Cashew butter from Miyoko’s Creamery
- Plant-based “fish” sticks from Good Catch
- Mac and cheese made with ghee from 4th & Heart
- Scrambles from Hodo Foods
- Plant-based mochi from Bubbies
- Pineapple Chips from Sow Good
- New flavors of prebiotic soda from Poppi
- Alcohol-free sparkling “wines” from Töst
- Plant-based “eggs” from Just Egg
- Authentic salsas from SOMOS
- Hummus in squeeze bottles from Ithaca Hummus
- Toasted corn crackers from Craize
Interested in reading more of CookIt’s trend reports? Click here to find out what we learned at Tastemaker Conference, the Inspired Home Show, and the Fancy Food Show.
