Sustainable, better-for-you products shine at Natural Products Expo West 2024 – slideshow

Natural Products Expo West was held March 12-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. With approximately 65,000 international attendees onsite, more than 3,300 exhibitors also traveled globally to showcase their latest innovations in food and beverage, supplements, personal care and lifestyle products.

Hosted by New Hope Network, Natural Products Expo West is a highly anticipated annual gathering of the CPG and retail ecosystem, where the largest collection of emerging and professional brands in the natural and organic industries collaborate. What’s more, 840 exhibitors joined the show this time around.

“The energy of this year’s Expo West was palpable, and I believe will cement 2024 as a positive year for our brands, buyers and community,” Carlotta Mast, SVP of New Hope Network, said. “The thousands of new products on display, the connections made, and the ideas shared will influence the future of natural, organic and conscious CPG.”

Photo courtesy of Bryan Beasley Photography

As part of the event’s ethos, New Hope Network is cultivating a prosperous, high-integrity CPG and retail ecosystem that creates health, joy and justice for all people while regenerating the planet. This year’s event featured new initiatives to ensure sustainable goals were met, including two “sustainability zones” focusing on specific sustainability efforts to recognize the impact the trade shows have on the planet.

Events, including Climate Day discussions, sustainable product showcases and gatherings hosted by Project Potluck and the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I) Collaborative, delivered important conversations in increasing social and environmental sustainability across the CPG industry.

“This year’s event featured and elevated many of the efforts we’ve been prioritizing and investing in to ensure we’re continually raising the bar on attendee experience, customer value and event sustainability,” Lacey Gautier, VP of events at New Hope Network, said. “New programs included a new local buyers’ program, buyer-only show floor hours, an augmented reality experience and zero-waste product sampling at the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace. We hosted a wide array of networking events and programs, igniting remarkable engagement and enthusiasm within the industry.”

Notable industry professionals in health and wellness spoke during various education sessions, sharing unique perspectives on how to maximize wellness in daily routines. Entrepreneurs had access to immersive education throughout the week, first at Natural Products Business School, featuring workshops led by more than 40 industry experts; a keynote by Elliot Begoun of TIG; and an entrepreneurial panel with Clara Paye of UNiTE Foods, Matt Levine of Chlorophyll Water and Tal Garden of FUN Sesames.

A second round of workshops focused on Winning at Foodservice helped prepare brands for this new sales channel and included food service experts from Plant Based Foods Association, Rooted Food Sales, Technomic and Dot Foods.

There were a plethora of better-for-you food and beverage offerings at the event this year — from plant-based and nondairy offerings to animal-based and baby/toddler food products that placed sustainability and nutrition at the forefront.

Here’s Food & Beverage Insider’s exclusive slideshow presentation, which spotlights 20 of the top products uncovered during the five-day event. View it below.