The 2026 Summer Fancy Food Show brought more than 32,000 industry professionals to New York, including manufacturers, buyers, distributors, and other food and beverage leaders. According to the Specialty Food Association, the show featured 2,529 exhibitors, 700+ new product launches, and 421 first-time exhibitors.
That scale matched our team’s experience throughout the event: strong energy, steady traffic, and a wide range of companies representing both established brands and emerging innovators.
Representing Curtis Food Recruiters, Eli Jones and Melissa Kern attended, bringing back takeaways on the products, trends, and brand strategies shaping specialty food and beverage.
Global Showcase
International representation was strong, with country pavilions showcasing products from around the world. The expansive Italian Pavilion stood out in particular, with a notable presence across cheese, bakery, desserts, oils, condiments, and specialty ingredients.
Global influences showed up across many categories, from Asian-inspired flavors and ingredients like yuzu, matcha, and sakura to regional items such as Peruvian peppers and Tunisian olives. Rather than feeling niche, many of these products reflected how international flavors continue to move further into the mainstream.
Sauces, Condiments, and Flavor Builders
Sauces and condiments were popular throughout the show, from barbecue sauces and hot sauces to chili crisps, flavored salts, and premium syrups.
Many were positioned as more than toppings, becoming part of the cooking experience rather than an afterthought. They reflected a broader interest in products that help consumers build flavor into everyday meals.
Products and displays including liquid wagyu beef tallow from Blues Hog and Marble Ridge Specialty Farms, Blair’s Crystal Death hot sauce, and Eggo Sweet & Spicy Syrup helped illustrate the variety within the category.
Functional and Protein-Forward Products
Protein continued to be a dominant trend, showing up far beyond traditional bars and shakes. Our team saw protein incorporated into everyday formats like bread, including Papa Mountain’s rolls, along with ice cream bars and pizza, reinforcing a trend we have also seen across recent industry events like IDDBA and PLMA.
Beverages were part of that shift as well. Functional drinks appeared throughout the event, with brands leaning into vitamins, energy, and other wellness cues. One example was Marrō, a sparkling, fruit-flavored protein beverage made with bone broth.
Melissa noted a strong presence of non-alcoholic options, including wine alternatives and mixed mocktails, reflecting continued interest in beverages that support moderation without sacrificing the social or premium experience.
Clean-label and recognizable ingredients were also prominent, with brands continuing to emphasize transparency, organic or plant-based innovation, and better-for-you attributes.
As shoppers pay closer attention to ingredient lists, nutrition claims, and how products fit into their everyday routines, brands are finding more ways to bring function into familiar food and beverage categories.
Indulgence, Comfort, and Convenience
While functional and better-for-you products were highly visible, the show also made clear that indulgence is not going anywhere.
The variety of cheeses was especially impressive, ranging from artisan offerings to global varieties, with brands like Jacks Cheese showcasing the breadth of the category. Bakery, desserts, chocolates, breads, and premium snacks also had a strong presence, with polished displays from brands like Sal De Riso and products designed to feel giftable, elevated, or experience-driven.
At the same time, many brands were bringing new energy to familiar comfort and convenience formats. Products like Mac Squares, OTOKI ramen, and M&M’s Minis peanut butter spread reflected how brands are updating familiar categories with stronger ingredient stories and more distinctive positioning.
Brand Storytelling and Retail Readiness
Beyond the products themselves, the show highlighted the role of storytelling, packaging, and merchandising in crowded categories.
Many brands leaned into origin stories, sustainability, transparency, founder-led positioning, and strong visual branding. For emerging and established brands alike, clarity matters. Strong packaging, a clear concept, and an easy-to-understand differentiator can help a product capture attention on the shelf.
The Fancy Bodega brought that idea to life, creating an immersive retail-style experience that presented products in a convenience-store setting and showed how merchandising can help shape product discovery.
What This Means for Food and Beverage Leaders
The Summer Fancy Food Show offered a look at the pace of innovation across specialty food and beverage. Brands are navigating categories that are increasingly global, competitive, and shaped by consumer expectations.
For companies looking to grow, the challenge is not just launching an interesting product. It is building the leadership, operations, sales strategy, supply chain, quality systems, and retail partnerships needed to scale that product successfully.
The organizations best positioned for long-term growth will be the ones that can balance creativity with execution. That means bringing new ideas to market while strengthening the teams and infrastructure needed to support them.
Save the Date
One of the next opportunities to connect with the specialty food community will be Winter FancyFaire*, held January 17–19, 2027, in San Francisco. The event will bring attendees together through product discovery, sampling, networking, and local food experiences.
Building a team for what’s next in food and beverage?
For 20 years, Curtis Food Recruiters has helped companies find leaders who can support growth, navigate complexity, and bring new ideas to market. Contact us to start a conversation.
Meet The Author
Melissa Kern
Melissa began her career in the Health and Beauty Care industry. She joined Curtis Food Recruiters in 2013 and has extensive experience in operations, account management, and customer care. Melissa is a savvy relationship builder who uses her talent assessment and project management skills to ensure a smooth and successful recruitment and hiring process for both clients and candidates. Her passion, industry knowledge, and experience working with people and sourcing exceptional talent make her a trusted resource for clients and a valuable asset to the team.