Vegfest Seattle 2014

Although I never claimed to be a vegetarian and I am not sure that I would like to become one, the recent Vegfest in Seattle was an interesting experience. As a new product scouter and trends spotter, I am always open to food shows and events. Here are the highlights of the Vegfest:

1. Earth Balance launches their new potato chip line and they are super tasty! Soon available in the market, they come in three distinctive flavors. The Sour Cream & Onion Flavor Kettle Chips, the Cheddar Flavor Kettle Chips and the Sea Salt Flavor Kettle Chips. They are all vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO. I am curious to see the nutrition facts on the package when available.

2. The Lisanatti Cheese Alternative made with Almonds. I have tried rice cheese before but never a cheese made from almonds. The Almond Cheese comes in its Cheddar, Mozzarella, Garlic Herb and Jalapeno Jack flavors. I would describe it as light and tasteful but nothing like real cheese!

3. The Soy Yogurt is back! After a few disappointed years for soy and soy yogurt in particular, consumers seem to return to the previously loved dairy alternative. The WholeSoy & Co yogurt showcased all of their fruit flavored yogurts included blueberry, vanilla and lemon -my favorite!

4. I was surprised to see all the major national snack and energy brands to be there. From Way Better Snacks to Pop Chips, Beanfields Chips, Beanitos, SeaSnax to Kind Bars, Odwalla, Larabar and Probar. So Delicious, Silk, Coconut Bliss, Honest Tea, Tumeric and GoodBelly had also a strong presence. On the cheese and meat alternative front, there were Daiya, Gardein, Wildwood and Vegenaise Original. It seems that food manufacturers target the large food trade shows but also smaller regional ones open to consumers.