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]
I went the day after I returned from Tokyo, so I was more than a bit jet lagged. The first day was a bit haphazard, but I got back into the flow on Day 2 and 3. I found a lot of cool new brands and products that I loved. They changed the timing of Expo to be a 2 and 1/2 days instead of 3 and 1/2. This year all of the halls opened on the first day instead of just “Hot Products” and the “Fresh Ideas Pavilion.” And everything stayed open for the 2 1/2 Days. I feel like I met a similar amount of brands in less time, because the crowds were more dispersed.
Trends I Saw at Expo West ’25
- “IN” This Year: Protein, Women’s Health (including perimenopause and menopause – yay!), Vitamin Strips/Chewables for Adults, Hydration “Plus”, Non-Alcoholic Cocktails, Buckwheat, Mushroom Everything, GLP-1 Boosting, International Flavors, Savory, Brain Health
- “OUT” This Year: Keto, CBD, Cauliflower, Seed Oils, Avocado, Caffeinated Everything, Focus on Kids’ Snacks, Upcycling (not mentioned much)
Day 1
I started in the Press Room as I typically do. I picked up samples from La Croix (new Sunshine flavor), Oolie (egg based dips and yogurts), Nate’s Hot Honey, Pop Chips and Krack’d Snacks.
I headed in to the main hall to get my breakfast sandwich from Applegate Farms. They had a pre-order with Nguyen Coffee, When I got there, I switched to a chicken sausage wrapped in pancake on a stick. It was delish. This was in the main hall, so I checked out Lundberg Farms new Chili Crisp Rice collab with Fly by Jing and got my cards read by the Non-GMO project. To finish off breakfast, I grabbed some chicken sausage samples from Amylu and was ready to conquer the day!
I started in natural beauty products and cleaning products in the main halls. I stopped by to chat with Everyman Jack and grabbed some Dude Wipes for my next race. I chatted with my friends from Clean Cult and grabbed some of my fave laundry detergent sheets.
There were a bunch of hydration and hydration + products available. I tried No Days Wasted Electrolyte plus Immune Support and Trulean’s Everyday Wellness Immune Support and Joint Health. After flying from Tokyo after the marathon to Los Angeles and going to Expo, I figured the more Immune Support the Better!
I chatted with the team from O Positive. I use their Meno Gummies and tried the Women’s Endocrine Superfood Powder. It was tasty and I’m going to try it. I chatted with the team from Diso. They make dissolvable vitamin strips (like listerine strips) in a large variety of formulations. I chatted with the folks from PYM (Prepare Your Mind) about their Omega 3s and Mood Chews. I’ve tried both and like them. I grabbed some of Floradix’s new Iron Sport shots to try. I met up with Fungies and grabbed some of their new Lion’s Mane Mushroom + Hydration. I’m very curious to try this one as I like their gummies.
I headed over to meet the team from EO. I missed their 30th anniversary celebration on Tuesday, so I met up with the founders to say congratulations. I caught up with Maya on what was new and coming soon. Stay tuned for more! I spun the wheel at ESW Beauty and won an awesome lip tint in Rich Berry. I love it! They were out of new under eye patches which I really needed for my jet lag – LOL!
I spent some more time in the main halls in the food and beverage areas. I tried Justin’s new crunchy peanut butter and milk chocolate peanut caramel nougat bar – both very good! I grabbed a Topo Chico flavored sparkling water and danced with the bear from Bear Snacks (as one does). I spun the wheel at Lavazza and won a coffee scoop with a bag clip in the handle. AMAZING!
I headed down to Hall E which always has some of my faves and popular brands. I chatted with the team from Solely about what was new. They were next to Back to Nature – an Illinois healthy snack brand that did a great brand refresh. I met up with Marissa and we did a little surfing at the booth. Good snacks and lots of fun! We headed over to Wedderspoon’s happy hour and chatted with Kelly about what was new. We tried the new Cherry Manuka Honey Drops. Amazing.
We stopped by some faves to hear what was new. GoMacro has a new White Chocolate and Macadamia Nut Bar. Poshi has riced vegetables – broccoli, asparagus. cauliflower and hearts of palm. Honey Mama’s in in on the Protein trend with new refrigerated protein bars – very good and a Thin Mint Chocolate Truffle Bar. We played Only Bean’s [Use code ERICA15 for 15% off of your order] jackpot game and Marissa won. I didn’t but I grabbed some of my fave Sriracha edamame snacks.
Day 1 Haul
Day 2
I met Lisa from Kuli Kuli for a run on Thursday morning and caught up. I hitched a ride with Fabiola from Solely to the Expo and started the day in the main hall for a few appointments.
I met with Jenna from ECOS. I learned that ECOS was founded in 1967 with the goal of making better for you cleaning products in 1967 – before the EPA was created. It’s a family owned company and is run by the daughter of the founder. Jenna told be that the majority of chemists are women! So cool. They started with laundry detergents and now have a variety of laundry products. The newest is ultra concentrated laundry detergent. They also launched a foaming dish spray that I can’t wait to try!
I swung by to meet Jovial and tried their new Einkorn and Pancake Waffle Mix. I tried the new organic pasta sauce and sourdough pasta from Bionaturae. Both were delicious. I met back up with Marissa and we played Mosh’s memory game. She nailed it and I was a bit remedial. I blame jet lag. We grabbed some of their energy bars with functional ingredients for brain health. We stopped by to see what was new from Seven Sundays and I tried yummy buckwheat tea from Sana.
We tried to score an amazing bag from Paranice. This Columbian brand makes nut butters, granolas and gluten free pancake and waffle mixes. We failed on the bags but grabbed a ton of samples of their products to try. We also met the artist who designed the amazing packages and branding.
I met up with the team from Olli Salumeria. They recently announced that their salamis have been reformulated to have no preservatives – the first brand to do so in the US! So, now you can imagine yourself eating charcuterie in Italy and day of the week! I had the opportunity to try their new habanero salami, too. The Olli team tipped me off on Porta pizza – this amazing Roman style frozen pizza is available in Whole Foods nationwide. Get some – you’re welcome!
I caught up with Julie and Lily from (re)zip. They showed me some fun new reusable bags for home and pets and gave me the cutest travel pouch filled with must haves! I swung by Malk and chatted with my friends from South Forty Snacks [get 10% off with code ERICAFINDS]. Stay tuned for more on South Forty Snacks Provisions line. The guys from Root Foods gave me a tote because it matched my ‘fit. I tried their yummy new beet and cauliflower chips.
I saw my friends from Chargel and told them about the Tokyo Marathon. Then, I tried Cocojune’s new dips and protein yogurt. I’m excited for both. I met Dixie Grace from Dixie Grace’s Boiled Peanuts and grabbed some of their new shelf stable product to try. I chatted with my friends from Peanut Butter and Co (get 10% off with code ERICAFINDS10) and tried their new (delicious) peanut butter cookies. Rode a pickle and tried some pickle pico de gallo at Grillo’s Pickles. (Yes, you read that right.)
I saw my friends from Chum’s Fruit Bites and checked our Raaka’s seasonal chocolates. I tried Artisan Tropic’s Nexty winning Grain Free Crackers (LOVE!). I professed my love for Four Sigmatic’s mushroom coffees and grabbed some new instant lattes to try.
I met with Lisa at Kuli Kuli to get the scoop on their brand refresh. Stay tuned for more on this. I love the fresh new look and brand direction. I tasted PKN’s zero sugar added pecan milk. They sent me some to try at home and I love it! I professed my love to Copper Cow and got my annual pic with Matt from Rind. Marissa and I chatted with NOW Foods and NuGo – brands she (NOW) and I (NuGo) work with.
Marissa and I went to Alter Eco’s happy hour and enjoyed virgin Chocolate Martini’s. I checked in with Nichols Farms and grabbed my fave pistachios (Cookie Crisp, Hot Honey and Original) and finally visited with my friends from Undercover Snacks to grab some faves.
As you can imagine… this was pretty tiring. I skipped parties in exchange for food and playing catch up on correspondence, socials and sleep. I’ll be back tomorrow with my final day and some predictions for the year ahead in natural products.
Day 2
Which products or trends do you want to see in more detail on the blog?
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