If you’ve been following along on Instagram stories, you know I attended Expo West in Anaheim again this year. The energy, enthusiasm and innovation were back and I’m here for it. The crowds were a bit intimidating, but it was possible to find some less crowded areas and to spend time talking to some great brands. [Check out my Instagram reel and story highlights]
Trends I Saw at Expo West ’24
- Regenerative farming, sustainability and upcycling of ingredients are IN. From baby food to snacks to main dishes, this was spread throughout the show just like Expo East.
- There’s a focus on functional wellness. Many products are capitalizing on ingredients like lion’s mane mushrooms and turmeric which increase energy and focus.
- There were SO many beverages again but this time it was all about mocktails! So. Many. Mocktails.
- Many brands are talking about “clean” labels and transparency.
- There were a ton of global flavors. I’d say the soup dumpling, steamed bun and spicy asian sauces were the most popular new brands that I saw.
Day 1 – Fresh Ideas Pavilion and Hot Products
I arrived on Wednesday and hit The Fresh Ideas Pavilian, the Press Room and “Hot Products.” Hot Products opens Wednesday and closes Friday so it was PACKED!
The Fresh Ideas Pavilion is outside and has a mix of brands I know and new finds. I tried Rowdy Mermaid’s Good Mood soda with adaptogens, grabbed an energy shot from Ethan’s, met Christina from fave Willa’s Organic Oat Milk and tried some regenerative, gourmet coffee from Heirloom Coffee Roasters. I tried new flavored honeys from Heavenly Organics. The hot honey was delish but the Cardamom Honey was so unique. Definitely a new fave!
I headed over to Hot Products. Of course I stopped outside to grab a Nixie (one of my fave seltzers) and to saw hi to Gimme and to grab their new Korean BBQ flavor to try. I also played the Chomps Plinko game and won a meat stick! [Use code ERICAFINDS for 15% off your order online.]
I walked into Hot Products and it was a ZOO! Someone gave me the tip to check out the 300 level and that was better. I also stopped by the Press Room. There were fewer fun products to sample there this year but I did grab a new PATH sparking water, Endangered Species new Dip n’ Joy (chocolate batons with nut butter or salted caramel) and Make Time Rhodiola Vitamin Gummies.
I waded into the fray to meet with Julie from (re)zip. You may remember them from last year. make awesome food-safe reusable bags. Julie showed me all of the new innovations including black bags for storing coffee and other things that are sensitive to light, bags with clips to hold them in place, waterproof beach bags and more! Stayed tuned for more from (re)zip and some fun collabs.
I was invited by Everyone for Every Body to get my hair styled with their new Shiny Hair Oil. It was really fun and I felt like a super model. Go grab this magical product ($10 on Amazon right now). Two drops added shine and I got compliments the next day – even after running!!
I headed back over to Hot Products for a quick spin. I stopped by to say hi to Gaby at Rind. They recently purchased a granola company so BOLO for new collabs soon. They’re delish. I saw my friends from Theo’s Plant Based and tried their AMAZING new Sweet Potato Jerky. Trust me, you’re going to love it! I checked out new Chichi chickpea oatmeal and look forward to trying all of the flavors. I said hi to Brami and tried their new flavor, learned about Plink’s new formula and tried Choppy 80% plant based carne asada.
Day 1 Haul
Day 2 – Main Halls and Hot Products
I had a meeting in the Main Halls on Thursday morning. I started in the beauty/wellness area and checked out some fun brands to start the day.
After grabbing my daily Nixie and posing with the Uglies mascot, I checked out some fun wellness brands. I chatted for a while with Dr. Marisol Teijeiro from the TikTok sensation Queen of Thrones Castor Oil. I had no idea about all of the uses and benefits of castor oil. Stay tuned. I plan to check it out. I then chatted with Pacha soap and checked out Dr. Woods’ black soap products. (Stayed tuned for more on Dr. Woods!) I professed my love for the Chico Bag Travel Pack and checked out the new sleek material and colors.
I headed over to youtheory to meet with Joyce. She shared their new Ocean-friendly Omega from Algae Oil and new mushroom based supplements. We also checked out new spore priobiotic gummies and I grabbed some Sleep Elixir and Turmeric.
I stayed in the Main Halls for a meeting with Cleancult. I checked out Oobli – a Nexty winning sugar replacement that’s a protein. I didn’t try it but I grabbed some chocolate samples. I also learned a bunch about dental hygeine from drTung’s Essentials and got my first Tongue scraper! I saw Nampons – a nosebleed solution. This was by far my most commented on story. I tried a delicious Roti from Arya (and met the founder).
I headed over to meet Cleancult. You may remember them from previous posts. They make cleaning products in reusable containers with refillable cartons. They recently came out with awesome laundry detergent sheets that leave no residue and have lots of stain fighting enzymes. Stay tuned for a National Laundry Day giveaway on 4/15.
I headed back over to Hot Products to meet with Tonnino. I tried their yummy tunas with veggies. These are no drain so they’re even easy to eat on the go. They have new salmons coming out soon. Keep an eye out. I then chatted with my friends from Rind again and met up with Lisa from Kuli Kuli. They have new superfood gummies – I’ll have a review and giveaway soon!
I stopped by Root Foods and took their team pic in front of their 2D booth. I’m obsessed with their Six Mix. I told Wise Bar how much I like their functional food bars. I met the team from Hume Supernatural and got some samples of their all over body deodorant which is also an anti-chafe. This is great for travel! I love multi-purpose solutions.
I chatted with Clara from Unite Foods. I’m a big fan of their bars in global flavors especially Baklava. I stopped by ZenB to get my VIPea pack and met one of their chefs before heading over to the That’s It Power Hour.
That’s It has a new energy line with caffeine. These are also great pre-run if you don’t have time for coffee or when you need a pick me up. The Happy Hour was in Hall E which was a ZOO! I went back to Hot Products for a bit before calling it a day.
I stopped by to check out a few Chicago brands that I love. Sprinkles cupcakes is launching a delicious chocolate line, Wow Bao is coming to the frozen section of grocers near you, heywell is working on another collab with my friends from Foxtrot and Evergreen is launching healthy waffle breakfast sandwiches. So much great stuff from my local friends!
I made a quick circuit before calling it a day. I caught up with my friends from Olyra (BOLO for their new blueberry breakfast biscuits), LOVO plant based chocolates and Nuun. I stopped by to tell Koe that I love their new Kombucha seltzers – try these when you see them at 7-11s nationwide. I was delighted to see Lakrids by Bulow. I had no idea when I fell in love with this candy in Denmark that it’s a B Corp. Nice!
Day 2 Haul
As you can imagine… this was pretty tiring. I skipped happy hours in exchange for hot soup and playing catch up for work. I’ll be back tomorrow with my final day and some predictions for the year ahead in natural products.
Which products or trends do you want to see in more detail on the blog?
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links, I’ll receive a small commission. Check out many of these and previous finds on my Amazon list!