2000 National Food Distributors Association Show Review

If it was organics, kosher products, or functional foods with upscale appeal, this year's National Food Distributors Association (NFDA) Annual Conference and Trade Show was the place to find it.

Held January 9-11 at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, Calif., the show drew an estimated 2,000 attendees who perused the latest and greatest products from more than 300 exhibitors. Eager to meet consumers' increasing interest in health and nutrition, a substantial number of these products were promoted as much for their healthfulness as for their flavor.

Organic Explosion

Those who harbored doubts about the importance of organic products in specialty and mainstream channels were all the more convinced of its staying power walking this year's show. New organic introductions were a staple of virtually every aisle.

Walkers Shortbread showcased its premium organic biscuit line: Duchy Originals Organic Biscuits, including Highland Shortbread, Lemon Biscuits, Oaten Biscuits, Orange Biscuits, and Gingered Biscuits. Samples of Walkers Organic Shortbread fingers made with pure butter and its subtly sweet Organic Wheat 'N' Oat Biscuits had attendees leaving a trail of organic crumbs clear up the aisle.

The stunning packaging for Venus Wafers' new Haute Cuisine and Healthy Haute Cuisine lines of crackers stopped more than a few visitors in their tracks. The new Healthy Haute cracker line is made with organic flour and includes the following unique flavors: Blueberry Cracker, Cranberry Cracker, and Seed Overload. The Haute Cuisine line is made with whole wheat flour.

You say, "tomato," Cento says, Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes. These California certified organic tomatoes come in their own juices and are packaged in 24-ounce cans. On the non-food side, Source Atlantique spotlighted its "If You Care" line of environment-friendly parchment paper, baking cups, and coffee filters.

It's In There

The focus on healthful products did not end with the organic introductions. Alongside manufacturers and suppliers who touted their organic lines for what they don't contain was a bevy of exhibitors promoting new products with added ingredients for better health. These functional foods — products with added vitamins, nutrients, or herbs — were another mainstay at the show. Prairie Sun exhibited its lines of nutrition bars and Quick Cooking cereals with herbal supplements. Prairie Sun's nutrition bars are available in Calm, with kava kava; Cardio, with English hawthorn and sea buckthorn; Mind/Energy, formulated with gingko biloba and Siberian ginseng; and Grow, with calcium. The line of Hot Quick Cooking cereals includes Mind Energy in cranberry/citrus flavor; Calm in maple flavor; Cardio in apple-cinnamon flavor; and Grow, featuring the nutty flavors of organic wheat, rye, and flax. A line of frozen meal solutions named Advantage/10 because each dish derives 10 percent or less of its calories from fat features a full range of pasta entrees, pizzas, veggie burgers, and soups. The pizzas including Roasted Vegetable (without cheese), Vegetarian Sausage & Mushroom, and Vegetarian Pepperoni offer whole-grain crusts enriched with B vitamins and fortified with folate. Stash Tea attracted attention with its Lemon Ginger Sharpness herbal tea with gingko biloba.

It's Kosher

Fueled by increasing demand from both kosher-observant and food safety-concerned consumers, a growing number of specialty food manufacturers are seeking kosher certification for their existing products and introducing new kosher lines. A participating organization at this year's show, the Kosher Food Distributors0 Association, had many specialties to get excited about. Sweet Adelaide introduced its line of Kosher California Dressings for salads including Honey Mustard Seed, Dill, Basil & Garlic, and Garlic & Pepper. The Gilway Company featured its line of Wilkin & Sons marmalades, jellies, and preserves, many varieties of which are kosher-certified. Chef Paul Prudhomme was on hand to promote his line of seven ground chili powders, all of which are kosher-certified. The chili powders are available in a range of heat levels and contain no additives, preservatives or MSG.

Beverages for Every Thirst

Competition in the burgeoning specialty beverage category shows no sign of being quenched any time soon. The NFDA show provided plenty of opportunities for attendees to whet their whistles at booth after booth featuring specialty soft drinks.

Bay Hill Impex Ltd. debuted its new Portello line of beverages featuring sparkling water from Canada blended with flavors imported from England. Portello comes in a variety of flavors including Mixed Berry, Orange, Pineapple, Ice Cream Soda, and Honey Lemon. Bri-al presented its line of Hawaii Water from the state of Hawaii Halawa Community Aquifer. This virtually mineral free water is put through a five-step filtration process including reverse osmosis.

Eurobubblies poured refreshing samples of its Lorina brand Sparkling Lemonade, French Lemonade, and Orangeade imported from France. The company announced that it will launch a new addition to the line: Pink Lemonade, sometime this month. Another introduction this month will be Lorina lemonades in individual-size bottles. The lemonades are currently available in 24.5 ounce bottles.

The Story With Sauces

Specialty food manufacturers continue to raise the bar on quality sauces that make meal preparation quick and easy. Sauces and condiments for sautéing, slathering, and stir-frying took center stage in aisle after aisle at the show.

Sweet Adelaide Enterprises presented a slew of new sauces under its Paula's brand, including Lady's Curry Mayonnaise Dip and Gentleman's Trophy Tartar Sauce. New for the grill from Sweet Adelaide are Southern Lady's Grilling Secret featuring lime, lemon, and orange juices spiced with ginger, and Gentleman's Grilling Secret, a combination of herbs and soy sauce. Lee Kum Kee presented its two newest shippers for its flavorful one-step Asian sauces in packets. Sauces such as Black Bean Garlic Sauce and Kung Pao Stir-Fry Sauce come in a shipper filled with 13 different varieties; another shipper features a single variety of sauce. These sauces are MSG-free and contain enough for three to four servings of each dish.

San-J debuted its 12-ounce bottles of Tomato Pepper Sauce and Lemon Pepper Sauce for barbecuing and basting. The tamari-based sauce Lemon Pepper Sauce complements a variety of fish, while the tamari-based Tomato Pepper is a great match for chicken and beef. Arel Group featured a line of new pasta sauces in eye-catching glass jars. The new sauces include Spicy Arrabiatta, Tomato & Basil, and Red & Yellow Peppers.