2014 Winter Fancy Food Show Monday stroll

Can't remember how many years I have been going to the Fancy Food Show in SF. My first big food packaging and branding project was Beckmann's Bakery. I interviewed for work with Newman's Own but didn't get the work because I had no food projects in my portfolio. Richard Novak recommended me to Peter Beckmann and I had to compete against 50 other artists until the final round of 3 and then 2 designers and then me. I love seeing the trucks and buy the bread and pastries at the Cabrillo Farmers Market in Aptos.

This show was busier than last year. Aisle were crowded. Lots of chocolate, flavored popcorn, sauces, jam, names with Family, mom, sister, brothers popular. Not as much beer as seen in years past maybe I missed that section. Walked the show with Gail owner of the Saucy Wench BBQ sauce from Aptos and graphic designer and model Katie Steidl.

Some favorites.

Brad's Raw Foods

Sencha Naturals Poco Dolce Chocolates

Found a local Aptos company La Selva Beach Spice Company

Horny Corn I liked the packaging and logo. Eye catching and the popcorn is actually very good.

The Winter Fancy Food Show is the West Coast's largest specialty food and beverage event. Exhibit with over 1,300 exhibitors and put your products in front of over 18,000+ quality buyers.

January 19 - January 21, 2014.

Discover 80,000 on-trend and best-in-class products including confections, cheese, coffee, snacks, spices, ethnic, natural, organic and more. 1,300 exhibitors representing the latest in specialty foods and beverages from across the U.S. and 35 countries and regions.

Congrats to Beckmann's Breads 25 year Anniversary!

Went to Beckmann's Breads 25 year Anniversary last night at the Santa Cruz Bowl.
Had a great time and was proud to have been apart a little part of it. I designed their logo and packaging somewhere back in 1993 with Peter Beckmann and Sharon May, worked with Beth as well. Peter, Sharon and Beth gave many thanks to all the families and people that have made it happen over the past 25 years. Gifts for all departments and many thanks. To another 25! Peter is one of the founders of the Think Local First Santa Cruz org. He's also the person that got me waking up and starting my day with bakers hours.



Think Local First - County of Santa Cruz is a network of independent and locally owned businesses and community organizations joining together to promote economic vitality and preserve the unique character of our community.

The Fancy Food Show in SF inspiring and fun

Went to the show yesterday in the rain. Was worth the drive in the storm. Went to Chris Cornyn, seminar 10 Do's and Don'ts seminar focusing on positioning and packaging products for success... Worked with him years ago when I was the art director of Rockshox. Super talented guy who changed his focus to food. His agency is Dine Marketing in SF. Years ago I wanted to work with Newman's Own and met with Peter the marketing head back in the early 90's. He liked my work but didn't see any food packaging in my portfolio. I was disappointed not to get the work but knew he was right. Richard Novak of NHS helped put me in line with Peter Beckmann of Beckmann's Bakery. He had 50 people interested in designing there logo, branding and packaging. All of us submitted one round of designs. He then narrowed it to a smaller group of 5 and paid us for another round. Then down to 3 people, to two and then one. We would meet at Shoppers Corner in Santa Cruz at 5:30 am and put our mocked up bags on the shelves. He met with each of us individually on different days. Ever since that project, I wake up early and get tons of work done. Long story short I got the project to design the branding, packaging, vehicle graphics and more. Love seeing the breads everywhere and the trucks on the road. I have a few food labeling projects lined up and hope to keep branching into this industry again along with the actions sports my two favorite interests. I am a foodie fan, buy local, buy organic, worm farmer and gardener.

The Top 5 trends have been been picked by a panel of food experts at the 35th Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco
The top trends identified are:

• Good-for-you foods
• Coconut
• Gluten-free
• Exotic citrus
• Nostalgic foods

Spicy was not mentioned but was huge as well as sea salt. My
Favorite chocolate at the Fancy Food Show was the poco dolce sooo good. The tiles with salt rule!


Most interesting thing at the show for me was the Paul Frank pancake mix. I saw PF start with wallets in the surf industry. He grew and grew and then somehow got pushed out of his own business. PF is in Target, doing bikes, helmets, and now food. I've always had bitter sweet thoughts to this but love PF stuff. What if you started something you loved and then got pushed out and then saw it go big without you. I hope he is happy and doing something fun.