CHICAGO — Ten emerging snack and candy brands are slated to pitch to a panel of retailers at the Sweets & Snacks Expo, held May 22-25 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
The event will include two “5X5” sessions, each featuring five-minute presentations by five startups. Attendees will learn about new innovations and hear feedback and tips from buyers and category managers.
The 5X5 Confectionery participants are:
No Sugar, keto-friendly pecan clusters
Rbel Bee, honey-sweetened gummies
Heavenly Treats, premium toffee
Mooosh, sugar-free cotton candy
Smooch, low-calorie meringue bites
The 5X5 Snack participants are:
Freakin’ Wholesome, peanut butter-filled dates
Cloverdale Foods, meat sticks
Rivalz, savory stuffed snacks
Abby’s Better, peanut-free nut butter bites
Pochis Sweet Designs, coconut cookie
Returning to the Sweets & Snacks Expo is Startup Street, a designated area for companies that have been in business for three years or less. Startup Street exhibitors receive an entry in the Most Innovative New Product Awards, a spot in the Featured Product Showcase, a listing in the directory and a discounted rate on exhibit space. Concepts on display will include chocolate infused with wine, puffed cauliflower snacks, barbecue-smoked potato and corn chips, and globally inspired sour gummy candy.
Among the more than 800 exhibitors expected at the event, nearly 250 are first-timers, according to the National Confectioners Association, which produces the annual event.Enjoying this content? Learn about more disruptive startups on the Food Entrepreneur page.
