FRESNO (KMJ) — Entries are now being accepted for the Fresno Food Expo’s new product awards.
Organizers say it’s a platform to launch new products and new businesses – but it’s also a chance for the valley’s creative side to shine.
“It’s an opportunity to highlight the innovative unique products that are coming out of the San Joaquin Valley”, says manager of the Fresno Food Expo Amy Fuentes.
She adds that the benefit to local business is the main driver behind it all.
“It gives them consumer feedback, it gives them buyer feedback. It really gives them an opportunity to shine a light on their specific new product and it just gives added value to them participating in the show”.
To the uninitiated – the Food Expo is an annual event in which the best of what the valley has to offer in food is laid out for businesses and people alike to sample, buy, and in some cases invest in.
The new product awards include the Buyer’s Choice Award – in which the winner is decided upon by a panel of celebrity judges – and the People’s Choice Award – which is voted on by us the people through the Food Expo’s website.
“So the Buyer’s Choice actually goes through two rounds of official judging so it absolutely provides a much deeper value because you have industry specialists looking at your product providing real time feedback and really gives you an opportunity to really craft your product before it goes into the market”.
“The People’s Choice Award is where real consumers, buying the product, can get online and vote for the product”.
Entries are being accepted until July 2nd – and public voting for the people’s choice award starts July 9th.
If you’re interested in taking part in the expo itself, registration details can be found clicking here and details on how to enter a product in the New Product Awards can be found clicking here.
