Fresno Food Expo Fosters Collaboration and Innovation among Food Producers

Central California’s San Joaquin Valley is as a leader in the global food industry, not only for its sheer volume – producing no less than one third of the world’s food – but for its novelty of specialty foods and beverages. 

Located in the heart of this eight-county region, the Fresno Food Expo was created to celebrate these innovative foods and beverages in a one-of-a-kind foodie experience. Featuring only food grown and manufactured in the region, the Expo is unlike any other trade show. Its mission is to foster innovation, collaboration, business growth and economic development among San Joaquin Valley food producers, growers and manufacturers, while also building public awareness of the unique food that’s produced in the breadbasket of the world – and the companies behind the scenes.

And it’s done just that.

Take Molucca Chocolate for example, a craft chocolate maker that sources its raw cocoa beans from a single origin supplier in Buru, Molucca of Indonesia – the third largest supplier of cocoa in the world – that was nearly unheard of when it launched its business in 2015. Yet, Molucca knew it had an extraordinary cocoa product. That led to Molucca’s decision to participate in the Fresno Food Expo that same year in hopes of gaining exposure among other San Joaquin Valley food producers, and buyers who attend the Expo from across the globe.

Because of this, the once unknown chocolatier was able to gain instant credibility with other companies at the Expo – whom they were looking to do business with. As a result, Molucca has been working with fellow food and beverage producers from across the Valley on new product collaborations. 

“I tried Molucca’s cocoa nibs at the Fresno Food Expo and they were unbelievably good,” said Michael Cruz, President of Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company, a craft brewery located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. “I immediately introduced my brewer to Yohanes, co-founder of Molucca Chocolate.” Not long after, Tioga-Sequoia purchased Molucca’s cocoa nibs to use in a specialty releases of its Sugar Pine Cocoa Vanilla Porter, Mocha Midnight Imperial Stout and three variations of its All the Mornings Breakfast Stout – Maple, Coffee and Chocolate.  Now, Tioga-Sequoia has the desire to integrate Molucca’s chocolate in a bigger way: a widely distributed beer with Molucca’s brand on it.

Most recently, Molucca received samples of ENZO Olive Oil Company’s 100% estate grown, certified organic California extra virgin olive oil to infuse into a new chocolate bar, which is still in the development phase. Following the success of last year’s Expo, Molucca’s cocoa nibs and other products were placed in several retail establishments, including ENZO’S TABLE—the storefront for ENZO Olive Oil Company. ENZO’S TABLE is a regional favorite known for its local fresh fruit, nuts, specialty items, and the Ricchiuti family’s award-winning organic extra virgin olive oil and organic balsamic vinegar. At this year’s Fresno Food Expo on July 28th, ENZO’S TABLE representatives look forward to finding more locally produced items to feature in their retail store.

“The Expo brings together and showcases the best that the Central Valley has to offer from unique food items to fresh harvested produce,” notes Vincent Ricchiuti, co-founder of ENZO Olive Oil Company. Ricchiuti also expressed his desire to partner in the development of new, co-branded products for the ever-growing and popular gourmet food industry.”

But the collaboration doesn’t stop there. The aforementioned Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company also met local Thai coffee importer and roaster Lanna Coffee Co. at the Fresno Food Expo, of which it’s now working with to create a coffee infused summer beer. The brewing company brought Lanna Coffee Co.’s Cold Brew into its taproom, which it infuses with Nitrogen for a unique and tasty experience. The Cold Brew is available in bottles as well, so visitors can take it home with them.

Beyond coffee however, Tioga-Sequoia also looks to the fruit and vegetable growers at the Fresno Food Expo to source its chilies and cucumbers used to create specialty beers like its Cucumbier Pilsner or Joaquin Murrieta Chili Pepper Beer.

“That’s the cool thing about beer, we can collaborate with just about anyone,” said Cruz. “People like unique flavors as well as the synergy you get when working with local products and brands. We’re never going to stop working with local San Joaquin Valley partners to create new flavors, no matter how big we get.”

It’s these types of collaborations and specialty food companies that have caught the attention of world-renowned author, broadcaster and Food Network personality, Simon Majumdar, who recently announced his plans to join the Fresno Food Expo team this July to discover and highlight the innovative and diverse food and beverages on display as part of the foodie celebration.

This kind of attention for San Joaquin Valley food and beverage producers is exactly what the Fresno Food Expo hoped for when it started just six years ago. And it hopes to continue fostering relationships, product innovations and overall collaboration among San Joaquin Valley food and beverage producers, and the rest of the world.

For more information on the Fresno Food Expo, please visit FresnoFoodExpo.com or follow Fresno Food Expo on Facebook and Twitter.