For 45 years, Expo West has been where the natural and organic industry comes to connect with thousands who share their passion for inspiring new brands and innovations. This year, nearly 70,000 visitors from over 130 countries experienced the largest collection of emerging and pioneering brands in the rapidly evolving natural and organic landscape. As many as 3,000 brands were exhibited at the multi-venue show. Visitors from all over the world met in Anaheim, CA, for the ultimate CPG and retail ecosystem experience.
The show included major retail buyers from national chains, independent retailers, and e-commerce platforms. Nearly two-thirds of attendees were qualified buyers, including retail executives from major chains like Whole Foods, Kroger, and Amazon.
Here, breakthrough innovations, visionary insights, and market-transforming discoveries came together. This year, new enhancements were introduced to elevate the Expo West experience:
- CPG Innovation Summit. A one-day immersive experience built to connect brands with the resources they need to innovate and thrive.
- Step into the Launch Pad. Allowed visitors to experience inventive concepts, meet inspiring new brands, and see where innovations began.
- Return of Buyer-Only Hours. This provided exclusive access for buyers to connect with exhibitors before the show floor opened each day.
Andrew, Leeanna, Nicole, Jeff, and Lindsey showcasing Back to Nature’s full lineup of non-GMO cookies, nuts, and crackers. They feature no high-fructose corn syrup and are free from synthetic colors and artificial flavors.
Heather, Bear, and Sara showcasing Bear’s full assortment of Bear Snacks. They include fruit rolls, fruit splits, fruit treasure, and fruit minis. All are 100% natural, a healthy and fun choice for on-the-go or every snack occasion.
Camp Kodiak Band hamming it up.
Betty and Beatriz showcasing Confetti’s parade of upcycled snacks made from ugly veggies to reduce food waste. The colorful, award-winning Asian-inspired recipes are dense in nutrients and use colorful plants. The company donates a portion of nutrient-dense snacks to end hunger and malnutrition by working with global humanitarian missions to distribute snacks in the poorest parts of the world.
Jenna, Kevin, and Katrina showcasing Wild Fox’s assortment of crunchy, clean trail, omega, energy, and protein mixes with no refined sugars. Also featured are their variety of protein bars and roasted nut snacks.
Bill, Jerry, Marc, and Chad showcase the benefits of Halt fire-fighting spray foam. Designed, manufactured, assembled, and shipped from the US by a 100% US team, Halt provides a simple, effective, and safe firefighting way to stop small household fires—fast, clean, and safe for everyone.
Tim, Amanda, and Kathryn showcasing La Michoacana’s line of Mangonadas (water-based sorbet with chamoy, fruit chews, Tajín, and a tamarind straw). Michelaguas (fresh fruit waters with chamoy, fresh fruit, and Tajín). Raspados (shaved ice with sweet syrup). And Esquimales and Chocobananas (vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate popsicles and/or bananas dipped in hard chocolate shells and topped with shredded coconut, chopped peanuts, chopped walnuts, or rainbow sprinkles).
The team at Whole Moon offering samples of their plant-based bevvies, which prioritize taste, texture, and nutrition. No added oils or chalky proteins are used, only whole and roasted ingredients.
Joe, Susanna, and Christina showcasing Levels’ lineup of Whey Protein. Made from grass-fed and hormone-free dairy, the whey protein concentrate is loaded with protein, and it mixes easily; no blender is needed.
OATSOME’s Better Bar offered visitors samples of eco-friendly, non-dairy oat milk products—everything from quick and rolled oats to granolas and oat milk.
A pretty mermaid joins owner/founder Jenna to showcase Raw Love’s line of sunscreen products, said to be the first FDA-compliant Hawaii mineral sunscreen. Formulated to protect both skin and marine life. The mineral sunscreen is eco-friendly, reef-friendly, biodegradable, and moisturizing.
Nikki, Sierra, and Paul displaying Solely’s assortment of fruit bites. Each features the fewest possible ingredients to replace sugar-filled, highly processed snacks. The bites retain the nutritional benefits of whole fresh fruit without added sugar, additives, preservatives, or chemicals.
Ralph, Ed, and Stella inviting visitors to taste Vine to Bar’s assortment of rich, premium, 67% dark chocolate. Formulated to promote gut health, the treats are blended with freshly pressed, upcycled chardonnay grapes. Patented to improve the taste and nutritional content of chocolate due to its natural sweetness, bright fruit notes, and real food prebiotics.
See you next year!
Photos provided by James K.
Alex A. Kecskes is a published author of "Healer a Novel" and "The Search for Dr. Noble"—both now available on Amazon. He has written hundreds of film reviews and celebrity interviews for a wide variety of online and print outlets. He has covered red carpet premieres and Comic-Con events for major films and independent releases.
