The Plant Based World Expo North America, touted as the premier 100% plant-based trade event, recently took place at the Javits Center in New York City, marking a significant milestone with a record-breaking number of buyers in attendance. This year’s expo attracted thousands, with two-thirds of attendees holding direct purchasing power. This diverse group included representatives from the foodservice, retail, hospitality, and distribution sectors, along with senior executives, menu planners, product developers, academic researchers, and government officials.
A key highlight of the event was the expanded Hosted Buyer Matchmaking Program. It successfully facilitated over 500 pre-scheduled meetings in a designated area of the expo floor, showcasing the enormous value of live events in fostering business connections. The matchmaking initiative utilized retail insights from SPINS, a Chicago-based company renowned for its retail consumer insights and analytics in the natural, organic, and specialty product sectors.
The expo floor was vibrant with global innovation. Exhibitors and products hailed from various countries, including Mexico, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Brazil. Among the notable innovations showcased was Milkadamia’s “milk leaves.” These clever, dried sheets can be rehydrated with water to create creamy non-dairy milk. Remarkably, one leaf yields the equivalent of 8 ounces of milk, and its flat packaging features 94% less waste compared to traditional cartons, as well as a staggering 85% reduction in transportation weight.
Additionally, the expo served as a platform for discussing industry trends. A notable trend is the ongoing shift towards whole food-based products that use natural ingredients, moving away from trying to replicate meat analogs. The educational sessions throughout the event were open for the first time to attendees and exhibitors alike, fostering a spirit of collaboration across various sectors. Participants had the opportunity to share insights and engage meaningfully.
One standout session featured a keynote by SPINS CEO Jay Margolis, who addressed the integration of plant-based products into everyday meals. He was joined by Joseph Saine, director of sales at Impossible Foods, and Jonathan Lawrence, VP of merchandising at Fresh Thyme Market. Their discussion focused on consumer behavior regarding plant-based meats and provided valuable insights into adoption patterns.
Adding to the excitement, the inaugural VEGPRENEUR awards ceremony took place on the first day of the show, celebrating innovation in the plant-based industry. After over 450 product tastings assessed on sustainability, taste, packaging, innovation, and market viability, 16 distinguished winners were announced. Brands like Milkadamia, Seed & Shell, and Nature’s Fynd were among the honored recipients.
Jonathan Morley, the event director of Plant Based World Expo, expressed enthusiasm about the week, noting the collaboration displayed throughout the sector. “This year, we demonstrated true collaboration from across the sector,” Morley stated. “We are thrilled to have hosted so many buyers and showcase how vital the plant-based food industry is. We believe strongly that this sector holds the key to the food system transformation necessary in 2024 and beyond.”
The event is set to return to the Javits Center on September 24-25, 2025, underscoring the ongoing significance of the plant-based movement in reshaping the food landscape.
In conclusion, the Plant Based World Expo not only broke attendance records but also spotlighted the burgeoning innovations and trends defining the plant-based sector. As the industry continues to evolve, events like these provide invaluable networking opportunities and insights that will shape future offerings in the marketplace.
