My daughter Megan, our Executive Chef and I, are in San Francisco at the Fancy Food Show. What’s that?! The NASFT (The National Association for Specialty Food Trade) was started in 1952 to foster trade in the 75 billion dollar specialty food industry. Twice a year they hold shows in San Francisco and New York City that bring in more than 40,000 attendees from more 80 countries to see 260,000 innovative specialty food products, such as confections, cheese, coffee, snacks, spices, ethnic, natural, organic and more.
We generally just attend the New York show, but this year we decided to change it up. New supermarket and food trends always seem to start on the West Coast and work themselves East. Well, we are here to see what’s going on! We will be walking the show for two days and then touring 15 other supermarkets and specialty food stores. The entire supermarket industry has seen a dramatic change in the past 10 years, most of which we can credit to Whole Foods. They have raised the bar on the entire industry making us all look at what were eating and where it comes from. We have seen many independent supermarkets fall prey to them…….but NOT US!!! Palmers has always been seen in the industry as a trend setter and we will continue to stay that way. That’s why we’re always on the road, going to shows, touring other markets and reading industry reports and magazines.
After an early morning walk of the city, we’re off to work! It’s been so long since I’ve been to San Francisco. I’d forgotten how beautiful it is!!!!!
Enjoy the day!
Cindy and Megan