Last week, Plant Based World Expo North America 2024 took over the Javits Center in New York City, and the energy throughout the two-day event was palpable. With over 2,000 attendees, including a 10% increase in qualified buyers, the expo made it clear that plant-based food is not just here to stay, but continues to grow in both impact and sophistication. Walking the expo floor, tasting the products, and sitting in on the educational sessions, it became evident that the plant-based movement is evolving in exciting ways.

Growing Buyer Audience

This year’s Expo attracted a broader and more diverse mix of retailers, foodservice operators, and distributors than ever before, driven by the demand for high-quality plant-based products. A plethora of specialty and traditional retail, like Fresh Thyme Market and Shoprite, along with restaurant chains such as Hip City Veg were actively engaged in exploring innovative products that meet the needs of their customers. On the foodservice side, major institutions like Sodexo and Compass Group were represented, underscoring the growing integration of plant-based menus in large-scale operations.

Perhaps most exciting was the success of the hosted-buyer meetings program, which facilitated hundreds of pre-arranged pitches between brands and buyers. Distributors such as KeHe and Clark Distributing were among those looking to fill their catalogs with the next big thing in plant-based innovation. The show’s emphasis on matchmaking provided brands with targeted opportunities to make valuable connections, leading to many exciting new partnerships on the horizon.

Quality Over Quantity: A Theme of Excellence

One of my key takeaways from the expo floor was the notable improvement in the quality of products on display. Gone were the days of hastily developed flavor-lacking alternatives. This year’s lineup represented a clear step-up in flavor, texture, and overall eating experience.

Cheese and dairy alternatives took center stage, with companies like Stockeld Dreamery, Armored Fresh, and Plant Ahead leading the way. Their cream cheeses, meltable slices, and other dairy-free offerings truly “wowed” attendees. For the first time, I felt confident that these plant-based cheeses could cater to the tastebuds of traditional cheese and dairy enthusiasts.

For a sweet treat, Oatly and Kultee debuted creamy and indulgent vegan soft serve options that had people coming back for seconds.

Plant-based meat brands also impressed. Impossible Foods, Before the Butcher, and Shicken showcased innovative products that are not only plant-based but rival their animal-based counterparts in taste and texture. Before the Butcher’s new Butcher Sticks and Impossible’s corndogs and chicken nuggets were highlights, while Shicken’s chicken tikka masala stole the show as a full-flavored, satisfying meal option.

Many more companies brought standout products to sample, which we will continue to explore in future articles. In all honesty, this was the first time I didn’t encounter a product that felt underdeveloped or out of place. Instead, it was clear that companies have refined their recipes and honed their offerings to meet the high expectations of both consumers and the marketplace.

Impactful Education

Beyond the innovative products, the educational component of the expo was equally as impressive. Across two days of keynotes, panels, lectures, and workshops, attendees were treated to a wealth of insights from key buyers, chefs, marketing experts, ingredient suppliers, influencers, and activists. Sessions focused on trending categories, sustainability, product innovation, and strategies for driving consumer adoption.

Key buyers from companies like Aramark and Fresh Thyme Market shared their perspectives on the shifting consumer demand for plant-based products, while chefs and product developers discussed how to meet those demands with dishes that are both delicious and practical. The overarching theme was clear: the plant-based industry is no longer catering to a niche audience of vegan and vegetarian eaters. Plant-based foods are for everyone, and they key factors of taste and convenience play the biggest role in consumer adoption and retention in the category.

Stay Tuned for More

Plant Based World Expo North America 2024 was a resounding success, and over the next few weeks, we’ll dive deeper into the standout exhibitors, trending categories, and key educational takeaways that made this event so impactful. Stay tuned to Plant Based World Pulse for exclusive recaps and insights.

And don’t forget, Plant Based World Expo Europe is just around the corner, taking place in London on November 13-14, 2024. Registration is open, and we look forward to seeing the plant-based industry continue to flourish on the global stage.

More to come!