From Mango Chipotle Chorizo to Plant-Based Hot Honey: 7 PBFA Member Launches from Expo West 2024
Written by: Annie Taranshansky
Natural Products Expo West 2024 is just around the corner, and the PBFA community is ready to take on our industry’s largest natural and organic products tradeshow, showcasing new product launches, announcements, and activations – and for many companies, this means ushering in their next era of innovation. Our member community is no stranger to success at Expo West 2024, with multiple food manufacturer members being selected as finalists for the coveted NEXTY Awards, and plant-based being rightfully recognized as “the most progressive, innovative, inspiring, and trustworthy products in the natural products industry.” As categories continue to diversify and the tradeshow season gains momentum, there seems to be no stopping the plant-based foods industry from taking our collective creativity to the next level.
Now, with many of our members gearing up to debut new products on the show floor, our industry is getting a sneak peak of what’s next for plant-based. To save you time, we’ve compiled a guide of exciting first showings straight from the PBFA community, so you can jam-pack your itinerary and grab some delicious and innovative plant-based eats while you’re doing it.
1. Tofurky Launches New Pepp’roni + Mango Chipotle and Chorizo Plant-Based Sausages
Tofurky has announced the launch of a whopping three new products at Expo West 2024, including their Plant-Based Pepperoni, and two new flavor additions to their beloved plant-based sausage line: Mango Chipotle and Chorizo. Tofurky has been making delicious plant-based comfort foods since their launch over 40 years ago, and we’re excited to see that the company’s culture of innovation shows no signs of slowing down. In a press release from food industry news publication Nosh, Tofurky’s Vice President of Research and Development Gilad Kaufman stated that the Tofurky team, “firmly believe[s] in the power of using innovation to drive positive change.” Be the first to try these exciting new products by visiting the Tofurky team at Booth #1117.
2. Pulmuone Debuts Plant-Based Dumplings, Sauces, and Dressings
Plant-based Asian-inspired cuisine leader Pulmuone will be giving the show floor a special preview of multiple new innovations from their fan favorite Nasoya brand – including a reformat of their vegan dumplings, featuring new dipping sauces, plus a new line of vegan dressings. That’s not all: They will also be sampling a first taste of their exclusive plant-based chicken and providing a first look at their limited-edition, Earth month-inspired tofu package redesign. In a press release, Pulmuone’s Director of Marketing and Consumer Insights Ellen Kim remarked, “Americans are expecting more of their plant-based products and are eager for them to feature globally-inspired flavors and ingredients [...] Nasoya is embarking on an exciting year filled with innovation and Expo West is the perfect opportunity to showcase that.” Don’t miss out on this exciting debut and catch up with the Pulmuone team at Booth #905. And if you’d like to learn more about the company’s mission, vision, and brand story, check out Pulmuone’s Community Spotlight on The Digest.
3. TiNDLE Foods Reveals New Stuffed Chicken and Barista Milk
TiNDLE Foods is breaking into the plant-based milk market, announcing their first ever milk product: TiNDLE Barista Oat Milk. In addition, the company is expanding their plant-based meat product line with the debut of their Stuffed Chicken. The new products will be showcased for the first time next week, and are signaling an incoming new era for the company. In a press release published in PR Newswire, CEO, Co-Founder, and Executive Chairman Tim Recker proudly shared, “by introducing more innovative foods into the mix, including our entry into the dairy category, we remain steadfast in our mission to transition towards a more sustainable food system. Our team is thrilled to see TiNDLE’s category expansion and ongoing commitment to positively transforming our food system. Make sure to check out TiNDLE’s new products next week at Booth #4905.
4. Konscious Foods Unveils Three New Products: Smoked Salmon, Kimbap Korean Veggie Rice Roll, and Salmon Avocado Roll
Two-time 2024 NEXTY Awards finalist Konscious Foods is celebrating with the launch of three new products: Smoked Salmon, Kimbap Korean Veggie Rice Roll, and a Salmon Avocado Roll. After launching the brand as recently as Expo West 2023, the company has quickly scaled, with their products now available at over 4,500 locations nationwide – ranging from retail to foodservice and everything in between. These new and delicious foodss were developed directly from the kitchen of the company’s President and Founder Yves Potvin, who, in a recently published press release, shared that the team’s “ongoing mission [...] is to make eating our foods an easy choice, whether someone is vegan, plant-curious, or just interested in trying something new. We believe the future of food is better-for-you, better-for-the-world options." You can find Konscious Foods at Booth #5679.
5. Mellody Foods Reveals Spicy Habanero Hot Honey
Bee-free honey leader and innovator Mellody Foods has unveiled their new addition to their plant-based honey line: Spicy Habanero honey. The launch of this product, according to the company, makes this the first plant-based hot honey in the market. In a statement published in vegconomist’s press release covering the launch, CEO and Co-Founder Darko Mandich expressed, “With the launch of Mellody Spicy Habanero, we’re taking our plant-based honey beyond sweet applications. Our first Golden Clover release has been game-changing for the honey industry, and there are even more possibilities for further innovation that our technology can unlock, starting with taste and functionality.” Learn more about the company before paying them a visit on the show floor by checking out Mellody Foods’ Community Spotlight. To see the debut of the company’s exciting (and spicy) innovation, you can visit Mellody Foods at Booth #N445.
6. Califia Farms Announces Organic Plant-Based Almond Creamers
Plant-based milk leader Califia Farms has announced the launch of a new line of only organic plant-based almond creamer, this time without the gums and oils found in their other non-organic products. The creamers are available in three delicious and espresso-friendly flavors: lavender, vanilla, and brown sugar. In recent months the company has championed their brand new line of organic plant-based beverages, and these creamers are an exciting addition to the organic family. In a press release published via PR Newswire, Califia Farms’ CMO Suzanna Ginestro revealed, “These products are the latest innovation in our ongoing goal to provide an array of delicious plant-based products that meet the evolving and unique needs of today's consumer." To check out Califia’s new line of organic beverages and their newest creamy additions, you can find the Califia Farms team at Booth #729.
7. Hodo Foods Launches New Line of Plant-Based Dips
Hodo Foods has expanded into a new category: plant-based dips. A leader of ready-to-eat plant-based foods, Hodo is expanding their portfolio, announcing just last month that three flavors of their brand new line of dips are now on the menu. The flavors include Zesty Lemon, Sambal Sweet Chili, and Chili Crisp. In a press release published in Nosh, CEO and Hodo Founder Minh Tsai raves, “These bold flavors will wake up your taste buds and creativity! I enjoy these dips with everything, from crudites to crackers, salads to sandwiches, they just make everything taste better.” We’re thrilled to see Hodo undertake this exciting category expansion and can’t wait to snack on these dips all Spring and Summer long. Snack along with us and find Hodo’s team at Booth #5704.
Other Exciting Member News
CuliNEX Announces Booth Activations at Natural Products Expo West: Live Client Sampling and Panel Discussions
Clean label, plant-based food development and formulation provider and PBFA Affiliate member CuliNEX has announced multiple educational booth activations for their tenure on the show floor next week. The team will be hosting client sampling, expert panel discussions, and live case studies of their work as an opportunity to showcase their plant-based food solutions. In a press release published on Nosh, CuliNEX’s Senior Director of Business Development Lucinda Salinas expressed that the team is “committed to helping [their] clients create delicious and appealing foods that meet the growing demand for clean and sustainable options.” The press release also outlines the agenda of in-booth activities for those interested in attending one or many of CuliNEX’s planned dynamic events. You can locate the CuliNEX team at Booth #N1316.
2foods USA announces Non-GMO Verification Ahead of Show
NEXTY Awards Finalist and woman-owned plant-based chocolatier 2foods USA has announced their Non-GMO Verification on the heels of their success pre-show. The announcement came via a Linkedin post on their company account, detailing that their products are now certified Non-GMO, gluten-free, and soy-free, for all those of us who are looking for allergen-free and 100% plant-based desserts. Stop by, say hello to the team, and sample their certified delicious products at Booth #3098C.
Connect with PBFA @ Expo West
There will be no shortage of opportunities to dive into our community next week, and PBFA representatives of the membership, policy, and marketplace teams will be on the show floor fully immersed in all of our members’ groundbreaking innovations. With a show as big as Expo West, and with over 60 PBFA members exhibiting, we’ve put together a handy member booth directory so you can make sure your itinerary is chock full with all things PBFA. Learn more about the myriad ways you can connect with us next week.
And if you are a PBFA member with an exciting debut planned for next week and you are not represented on this list, make sure to email PBFA Senior Communications Coordinator Annie Tarashansky at annie@plantbasedfoods.org with your exciting news, and we’ll make sure our community is the first to know.