By Pamela Zuber
Food Distributor’s Annual Show Displays Myriad Worldwide Trends
When it comes to food, it’s a small world. So says distributor Lipari Foods, whose 2026 Food Show demonstrated how flavors transcend borders. Called Passport to Flavor, the show featured more than 850 brands and over 20,000 items. Held on March 25 in Novi, Mich., the exhibition highlighted many international influences and popular food trends.
Making Global Food Local
With a name like Passport to Flavor, it’s no surprise the show offered a wide variety of global foods. Attendees could sample and buy lebne/labneh, a yogurt cheese from the Middle East, as well as several other delicacies from the region, including breads, olives and dips.
Italian foods were also well represented. Several booths served pizzas, while other exhibitors offered ingredients for the dish, such as Tiseo’s frozen dough. Foods from other nations were also on hand, such as different types of Polish pierogi, Japanese noodles and French pastries.
Another booth reflected the growing popularity of food from Morocco. New York-based brand Mina marketed many products from the country, such as a red pepper and tomato sauce used for shakshuka, an egg dish featured on social media.
Speaking of global online sensations, the show displayed different configurations of the ever-popular chocolate from Dubai.
Tracking Snack Attacks
Chocolate was just one of the many (many!) snacks at the show. A number of these treats incorporated the trendy pairing of sweet and spicy. On hand were honey jalapeño, sriracha carrot, and other types of hummus from Lantana, including its sweet (but not spicy) dark chocolate flavor.
Heat and sweet also figured prominently in a line of Knorr sauces used for dipping and other purposes. Sauces with this profile included mango habanero in addition to a chipotle honey lime option.
Sweet and spicy foods also appeared as appetizers and on charcuterie boards, and the show highlighted many foods appropriate for those purposes, including Australia’s Old Croc cheeses and a line of Spanish-inspired tapas from Signature Foods, all fitting the expo’s international theme.
Addressing Diets and Concerns
If people don’t consume the cheese typically found on charcuterie boards, the show’s brands acknowledged that situation and others. Vevan Foods showcased various types of shredded vegan cheeses, while a number of other brands touted milk products made from nondairy sources such as oats.
Gluten-free options also abounded. Attendees could learn about the pancakes and waffles from Van’s that met this requirement. They could also sample the gluten-free baked goods of Schär, a German company that added yet another international influence to the show.
Additionally, meats prepared to meet halal guidelines were on display, reflecting the growing Muslim population in the United States and its dietary needs.
Source: Progressive Grocer
