FRESNO, CA – Gearing up for their latest event, the Fresno Food Expo is now accepting applications for its New Product Awards category, and the Fred Ruiz Entrepreneurial Award. 

The 2016 Fresno Food Expo will take place from July 27-28, and will feature site tours and an opening reception for pre-registered buyers, followed by a trade show. Applications for the New Product Awards and the Fred Ruiz Entrepreneurial Award are due July 1, 2016.

The New Product Awards is entering into its fourth annual occurrence, and will be presented by Baker Peterson Franklin, CPA, LLP, according to a press release. The category was designed to build buyer and consumer awareness, and to launch products from the ground up in stores, restaurants, and foodservice. 

“We strongly believe providing a platform to encourage and recognize innovation is critically important not only to the mission of the Expo, but to the growth and prosperity of our region’s food industry,” stated Erin Goldfarb, Partner at Baker Peterson Franklin, CPA, LLP. “That’s why we support the Expo, and are proud to sponsor the New Product Awards.” 

The New Product Awards have recognized more than 125 new products since 2013, and recognize innovation through the Buyer’s Choice Award and People’s Choice Award.   

The Buyer’s Choice Award is first judged by panel of food industry professionals at the New Product Award Preview Event, before finalists advance to the final round during the Business to Business Trade Show. Finalists present their products to the Celebrity Judging Panel who determine first, second, and third place winners.

The Celebrity Judging Panel will consist of:

• Erna Kubin-Clanin: world-renowned chef, owner of Erna’s Elderberry House and Chateau du Sureau
• Alan Grice: Sales Manager of Pacific Division Valley Coastal, United Natural Foods Inc.
• Sean Topping: Local Marketing Lead, Albertsons – Safeway Northern California Division
• Jim Jarosz: Division Manager, Landsberg Orora

The People’s Choice Award winners are voted on by the public through the Fresno Food Expo website and Facebook page. Voting will take place from July 14 through July 28, 2016. Fresno Food Expo stated that the awards have inspired innovative products such as hard root beer, and new varieties of healthy snacks.

Last year’s winner, Molucca Chocolate, received 1,074 of the 3,721 total votes for its Craft Chocolate Bars. “As a start-up company, we were hesitant to exhibit at the Fresno Food Expo because it was an investment for us. After participating in the 2015 Expo and entering our chocolate into the New Product Awards, we concluded it was the best thing we could have done for our business,” said Yohanes Makmur, Co-founder of Molucca Chocolate. “It’s because of our positive experience last year that we chose to unveil a new product at this year’s Expo, as well.”

Fresno Food Expo stated that the Fred Ruiz Entrepreneurial Award is also returning this year after its initial creation in 2015. The award was named after Fred Ruiz, founder of Ruiz Food Products, Inc., who was also a Fresno Food Expo Board Member. 

The Fred Ruiz Entrepreneurial Award supports the Expo’s mission of mentorship and guidance after the legacy of its founder, and honors companies who have the same qualities as Ruiz Food Products, Inc., which have taken the company from its family start-up status to its success today as a large manufacturer. 

The first winner in the award’s inaugural year was Rosa Brothers Milk Company, after noting a 300 percent growth since its Fresno Food Expo launch in 2012. “Fred Ruiz is a successful, highly esteemed leader within the food industry, so for our company to be regarded as having a similar entrepreneurial spirit is a great honor,” said Noel Rosa, President of Rosa Brothers Milk Company. “Because both of our companies started as small family businesses, his mentorship provides an invaluable opportunity to learn, grow, and be inspired.”

Registration for the event is currently open for both buyers and exhibitors, and more than 150 exhibitors and 950 pre-qualified domestic and international buyers are expected to participate. Some noted buyers who are already registered consist of: 

• Whole Foods
• Vallarta Supermarkets
• Save Mart Supermarkets
• Food 4 Less
• United Natural Foods Inc.
• JD Food
• Saladino’s Foodservice

Tickets to the Fresno Food Expo Public Event, Expolicious, are on sale for $50. The event features sampling and discovery of food and beverage products.

For more information, applications, and lists of participants please visit the Fresno Food Expo website.

Fresno Food Expo