2015 Fresno Food Expo

Fresno, California – July 9, 2015…The 2015 Fresno Food Expo, presented by Union Bank, is excited to debut 32 innovative new products, varietals and packaging concepts that were entered into the New Product Awards from 29 different San Joaquin Valley businesses. Now in its third year, the New Product Awards, presented by Baker Peterson Franklin CPA, LLP have become a strategic new product launching pad and this year features products ranging from traditional and organic produce; to flavorful wines, beers and juices, specialty cheeses, zesty peppers and tangyseasonings; to conveniently packaged dips, nuts, snacks and everything in between, all highlighting the quality and diversity of food and beverage products from California’s San Joaquin Valley.

All products entered are competing for the coveted Buyer’s Choice and People’s Choice Awards. The 32 products entered were reviewed, ranked and narrowed down to 10 finalists for the Buyer’s Choice Award by a panel of marketing and food industry leaders at the New Product Awards Preview event on July 8, 2015. These products will now advance to the Celebrity Judging Panel comprised of professionals from retail, restaurant,

foodservice and packaging industries including: world-renowned chef Erna Kubin-Clanin, owner of 5-star Erna’s Elderberry House and Chateau du Sureau; Whole Foods Local Sourcing Guru, Harvindar Singh; Direct Store Delivery Receiving Manager and Local Marketing Lead of Albertsons-Safeway Northern California Division, Sean Topping; and Division Manager at leading custom packaging solutions company Landsberg Orora, Jim Jarosz.

“This judging panel brings extensive experience to the Awards with their unique understanding of an ever-changing consumer market from different categories within the food buying industry,” said Amy Fuentes, Director of the Fresno Food Expo, on behalf of the City of Fresno. “They understand the critical attributes a new product needs to be a success in a very competitive industry.” 

The Buyer’s Choice Award will be announced during the Fresno Food Expo business-to-business portion on July 23, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. The following companies are finalists in the Buyer’s Choice Award category: Baloian Farms Mini Pepper Dipper Cups, Brandt Farms Grape Jammers, Busseto Foods Natural Salami Snack Cups, Heart Ridge Farms Flavored Dry Roasted Almonds, Molucca Chocolate Craft Chocolate Bars, Organic Pastures Truly Raw Shredded Cheese, Rosa Brothers Milk Company Lactose Free Chocolate Milk, Scout Olive Oil Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Top O’ The Morn Farms Farmstead Sweet Cream Butter and Traina Foods Sriracha Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup.

The other component of the New Product Awards is the People’s Choice Award that is entirely determined based upon public voting, which is now open. The People’s Choice Awards allows the public to share their thoughts as a consumer on what products stand out from the others in the marketplace and would be something they would purchase. It is also a great opportunity for those companies who submitted new products to get feedback from a real test marketplace. All 32 new products entered can be viewed on the Fresno Food Expo’s website (www.fresnofoodexpo.com/content/expo/new-product-awards) or Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/FresnoFoodExpo). Votes are counted by the number of “Likes” on Facebook combined with the votes cast via email through the Fresno Food Expo website between now and the Fresno Food Expo on July 23, 2015. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be announced that night by Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin at approximately 6 p.m.

Last year, Casa de Tamales’ Pepperoni Tamale and Chicken Bacon Tamale, as well as L.T. Sue Company’s San Joaquin Valley Tea were awarded the “Buyer’s Choice Award” when a tie was declared by the Celebrity Judging Panel. These winners have experienced significant achievements since their participation in the New Product Awards from retail premium shelf placement to large box store contracts and an increase in bulk orders.

“Since being honored with the 2014 ’Buyer’s Choice Award, we’ve been able to make key connections with buyers who didn’t have us on their radar before,” said Arianne Wing, co-owner of L.T. Sue Company. “After Erna Kubin-Clanin discovered us herself as a New Product Award Celebrity Judge, she made one of our products the ‘house tea’ at her 5-star restaurant, Erna's Elderberry House. Additionally, our San Joaquin Valley line of teas has been picked up by a dozen retailers throughout the region and on the central coast, and we have experienced our sales tripling both in-store and online since the 2014 Expo!”

Nearly 4,600 votes were cast last year during the three-week People’s Choice Award voting period resulting in Baloian Farms being crowned as the 2014 People’s Choice Award winner for their Squash Sauté Kits. The attention garnered through the People’s Choice Award boosted product awareness online and gave added promotional value and marketplace energy to not just Baloian Farms, but all participating companies and the San Joaquin Valley as a whole. Known as one of the most agriculturally rich and diverse regions in the world, the San Joaquin Valley has become a powerhouse for innovation in the food industry with its proximity to fresh products and access to international markets.

The 2015 Fresno Food Expo will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2015, at the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center New Exhibit Hall. There is a closed business-to-business portion from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. that is only open to pre-registered, pre-qualified buyers. Then there is a public event in the evening from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. where members of the public can attend to taste and discover the innovative, quality products produced in the San Joaquin Valley and meet the companies behind those products. Tickets for the public event are $40 and can be purchased at any Ticketmaster Box Office or online at www.fresnofoodexpo.com/registration/public-tickets. More information about the Fresno Food Expo and ticket discount opportunities can be found at www.FresnoFoodExpo.com.

The 2015 Fresno Food Expo is made possible in part by the support of the following well-known Valley businesses that have signed on as sponsors in support of the regional food show and its mission:

Baker Peterson Franklin, CPA, LLP

Busseto Foods

California Center for International Trade Development

Lyons

The Produce News

Saladino’s Foodservice

Certified Meat Products

City of Fresno

ENZO Olive Oil Company

Fowler Packing Company

Gerawan Farming Prima® Brand

Johanson Transportation Service 

Union Bank

United States Cold Storage

Valley PBS

Wawona Frozen Foods

KMJ Newstalk 580

Landsberg Orora

Wells Fargo