Upcycled Food Shows UP at Expo West
By Sabrina Serrano
The Natural Products Expo was a thrilling event, showcasing the latest and greatest in natural and organic products, and providing a glimpse into a brighter, more sustainable future. At the forefront of this movement was the Upcycled Food Association, which partnered with members to showcase the endless possibilities of upcycled food.
The booth was designed to be, what the team calls the “dream upcycled grocery store,” with a huge variety of upcycled products on every shelf. Visitors had the chance to sample an array of delicious and nutritious upcycled products that reimagine the food system by using co and by products in new ways.
Expo attendees were thrilled to discover and sample some of the most exciting upcycled food products available. Brands such as Comet, Blue Circle Foods, Big Mountain Foods, Solnul were among the featured brands, all sharing the Upcycled Food Association's commitment to sustainability and eliminating food waste.
Innovative Upcycled Products Using By and Co Products
Including: Good Sport, Coffee Cherry Co, Renewal Mill, Hope and Sesame, Seven Sundays, Voyage Foods, Spare Tonic, and Octonuts
At the booth UFA members Abokichi tantalized taste buds with their delicious condiments and ramen made from upcycled sake kasu, while Cajú Love served up a meat alternative product from upcycled cashew fruit in fabulous and filling nachos. Barnana showcased their newest product, Plantain Scoops, an Upcycled Certified™ chip enjoyed with the peel ON for extra fiber.
Delicious Products Using Upcycled Produce
Amai was another standout brand, introducing a new vision for a world with a product that represents the true essence of a circular food system. Their cups, made of upcycled grains from beer brewing, are vegan, GMO-free, and contain no preservatives.
Products Made from Upcycled Brewers Grain
Including: Portland Pet Food, Malty Bites, Act Bar and Evergrain
But the Upcycled Food Association wasn't just about sampling delicious food products. Visitors had the opportunity to meet UFA Staff and board members who are deeply passionate about reducing food waste and creating a more sustainable food system. This was a chance to join a movement of like-minded individuals who believe in the power of upcycled food to transform the world.
Overall, the Natural Products Expo was a resounding success, and Upcycled Food's booth stole the show. It was an exciting and optimistic glimpse into a future where delicious food and sustainability go hand-in-hand. The possibilities are endless, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for the upcycled food industry.
Sabrina Serrano (she/her) is a twenty-five-year-old food enthusiast with an obsession for writing and research. When she is not obsessing over her recent research hyper-fixation, she is usually in her kitchen baking bread. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She recently graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor in Communication
