Food incubators, the makers they support, and startup companies are bringing innovative food products to the 2024 Winter Fancy Food Show’s NEW NOW NEXT area.
Three incubators from around the U.S. will showcase the following companies that they’ve helped to launch and grow.
Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center
Columbia Bar LLC. Based in Astoria, Oregon, this company has a line of nutrient-dense snack bars made with high-quality ingredients and no additives or preservatives.
Haxan Ferments. This company, founded by molecular biologist Jessica Huszar, uses ingredients sourced from small farms to create fermented hot sauces and vinegars.
High Country Fungus LLC. This family-owned and -operated company based in Riverton, Wyoming, makes mushroom supplements and infused beverages.
Northern Latitude Foods. Offering organic, wild-harvested rice, this company says the crop is non-intervention and grown naturally without pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizer.
Oma & Popie’s Marinades, Spice Blends & More. Jan (“Popie”) and Gail (“Oma”) Zarr created this line of sauces and spices with white and apple cider vinegar, de Arbol chili powder, guajillo chilies, and other ingredients.
Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce. Founder Tony Wilson launched his brand during the pandemic after creating a garlic and mango habanero hot sauce.
Red Pony Salsa. This Wyoming-based company makes salsa using vine-ripened tomatoes, and it is available in three spice levels, as well as a bloody Mary mix.
Sun Ghee. This company makes a line of gourmet, hand-churned, clarified butters in flavors that include Cinnamon & Ashwaganda, Aleppo Chili, Cardamom, and others.
Tam’s Sweets. Founded by a self-taught baker who competed on The Food Network’s Great Chocolate Showdown, Tam’s Sweets created a line of unique, soft brittles.
Tempo Granola. Launched by a nutrition-conscious mom as a healthy snack, Tempo Granola comes in Cranberry Pecan, Apricot Coconut, and Dark Chocolate Cashew flavors.
Unwaffle. Created by a husband-and-wife team, both chefs, this company uses superfood ingredients to create toaster waffles and waffle and pancake mix.
Yellowstone Foods. This company’s all-natural snacks include cookies, snack bars, and jerky that reflect its Montana origins.
Oregon State Food Innovation Center
The Barreled Bee. Founder Lee Hedgmon created a line of barrel-aged honey products that includes cocktail-inspired honey sticks and Honey Buzz BBQ Sauce.
Gâteaux. Formerly called Icebox Bakery, this company offers an assortment of frozen, ready-to-bake cakes with flours, dairy, and cage-free eggs from the Pacific Northwest.
Kenny B. LLC. Kenny Baker is the founder of Sh’mallow, a marshmallow product in a whipped-cream-style can that can be sprayed onto hot chocolate or used to make s’mores.
Hot Mama Salsa. This brand has grown from a line of salsas into hot sauces and chili oils made with peppers from Africa, Peru, California, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Mirth Soup. This restaurant-quality soup maker produces flavors including Pumpkin Citrus, Tomato Tarragon, and Carrot Garlic Lime.
Miss Hannah’s Gourmet Popcorn Co. This family company makes popcorn in flavors like Chocolate Drizzled Candy Cane and Smokin’ Chipotle Cheddar.
My Daddy’s Sauces. This company describes its products as “Midwest-style” gourmet sauces that can be used as marinades, dips, salsas, or a glaze on meat, fish, or vegetables.
Pink Wagon Foods. This company seeks to replicate restaurant-style pickled pink onions, and offers its products in Classic, Garden Herb, and Spicy varieties.
TMK Creamery and Distillery. This Canby, Oregon-based company makes cheese products, including cheddar cheese and cheddar curds. Owner Todd Koch also upcycles the whey leftover from cheesemaking to make vodka called Cowcohol.
Rutgers Food Innovation Center
Five Star MTK. Owner and founder Jeff Kudrick grew up on the docks of Montauk, New York, and created sauces that can be used to glaze seafood.
Startup companies include:
Chipper Dog BBQ. This company makes Chipper Dog Rub-Leg Shakin Rub, Chipper Dog BBQ Sauce—Old Yella, and Chipper Dog BBQ Sauce—Olde Red.
Eric’s Nopales LLC. A family-owned California-based business, Eric’s Nopales offers pickled cactus slices in Garlic & Dill, Heat Wave, and Tuscan Herb flavors.
McKinnon’s Dry Craft Cocktails. This company is women-owned and makes DIY craft cocktails kits in flavors like Cranberry Sauced, Hot Toddy, and Sangria.
Saiga Foods. Founded by first-generation Vietnamese Americans, Saiga Foods makes frozen meals including Brisket Pho, Chicken Pho, and Cashu Pork Belly Rice Bowl.
Smoked Hatteras. This company is a maker of Hot Smoked Salmon, Salmon Spread, Fuego Hot Sauce, and Suave Hot Sauce.
Tilden. A women-owned non-alcoholic beverage brand, Tilden seeks to provide low-sugar offerings that can accompany the social occasions where alcohol is generally found.
Treehouse Originals. A maker of organic, direct trade hot chocolate in five flavors.
Related: SFA to Host Scale Up Saturday; Fancy Food Show Preview: Understanding Foodservice Trends With Mike Kostyo.