Taste The Northwoods At Minnesota’s Food Showcase In California

farm The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is taking a taste of the North Star State to one of the country’s biggest food industry events.

Eleven Minnesota-made brands will be featured at this year’s Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California, running March 3–6. The annual show is considered the nation’s premier natural products trade event, drawing more than 3,000 exhibitors and upwards of 70,000 attendees — including retailers, distributors, and investors looking for the next big thing in natural and organic foods.

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To help local businesses stand out, the Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute are sponsoring a Minnesota Pavilion on the trade show floor. This year’s pavilion will feature a “Northwoods” theme, giving visitors a relaxed space to sample products and connect with Minnesota-based food entrepreneurs.

Here’s a look at the companies representing Minnesota:

• Field Theory Foods (Hastings) – hemp-based grains, pancake mixes, and hemp oil
• Flackers (Minneapolis) – gluten-free, plant-based snacks
• Green Fox Companies (Kimball) – hemp-based products for agriculture and food
• Huxley (Minneapolis) – all-natural energy drinks
• Johnny Pops (Minneapolis) – frozen fruit-and-cream treats
• Lovebird Cereals (Edina) – packaged breakfast cereals
• Maazah (Minneapolis) – lentil-based sauces and dips
• Peace Coffee (Minneapolis) – organic coffee roaster
• Seven Sundays (Minneapolis) – cereal and granola maker
• So Good So You (Minneapolis) – cold-pressed juice shots
• Toom (Minneapolis) – garlic-based dips and spreads

In addition to the pavilion, the Department is teaming up with Naturally Minnesota to co-sponsor the 7th annual “Minnesota and Mountain Mingle” on March 5. The networking event highlights natural food brands from Minnesota and neighboring states, giving buyers and vendors another chance to discover regional products.

For Minnesota food companies, Expo West offers more than just exposure — it’s a chance to secure retail partnerships and expand into markets across the country. Businesses interested in participating in next year’s show can find more information through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.