NEW YORK – The Specialty Food Association 68th Summer Fancy Food Show took place June 23-25 at the Javits Center in New York City. Once again, the Greek presence was strong with an impressive array of products and companies from Greece along with the well-known Greek-American companies who continue to promote Greek gastronomy in the United States and around the world.

The sold out Summer Fancy Food Show, with Spain as the featured country this year, included more than 2,400 domestic and international specialty food companies exhibiting across 330,000 square feet of floor space (nearly six football fields). Greece participated with their top quality products including olives, olive oil, cheeses, herbs, teas, fruits, baked goods, jams, snacks, and prepared foods, among others, drawing great interest from many of the attendees.

The highest quality extra virgin olive oil and olives were, of course, well-represented by products from Kalamata such as Iliada and Liokareas, while Argilos, distributed by Nostos Goods, is from Kavala, an area not as well-known as other regions of Greece for olives and olive oil, but featuring distinctive and flavorful oils and delicious olive tapenades at the Food Show. Nostos Goods President Dr. Ioannis Ladas spoke with The National Herald about Argilos noting the innovative packaging and labeling that includes information about the flavor of the oil and the maturity of the olives for each of their four types of olive oil.

Kontos Foods President and CEO Steve Kontos was also at the Food Show by the always charming taverna-style booth featuring the company’s products such as the famous Kontos pita bread and phyllo pastry items as well as convenient frozen foods like moussaka and pastichio. Among the new products available is a line of high protein pita breads in a variety of flavors geared towards those who may be watching their carb intake. Steve Kontos spoke with TNH at the Food Show noting that his company is always at its usual corner where the traditional and the newer Greek items draw great interest from the attendees every year.

The well-known Loumidis Foods, Krinos Foods, and Optima Foods were also present and promoting Greek products at the Food Show.

Chef Maria Loi of the award-winning PBS series, The Life of Loi, and the Loi team were also at the Food Show, highlighting the Loi brand and products as well as the Greek canning company Kyknos and its wonderful products including tomato paste and a variety of sauces.

Also exhibiting at the Food Show were Athena Baklava from Ioannina, BioAgros organic Greek products, Paliria, MEVGAL, Olivellas from Halkidiki, Uncle Yiannis brand, Barba Stathis, Tokas Olymp Fruits, Dimitra Parparas, Sofi’s Cookies, Proikas cheeses, Dryas Greek Truffle, Belas Greek Premium Greek Dairy founded in 1927, and Haitoglou Family Foods from Thessaloniki, celebrating a century since it was founded in 1924.

When asked how the Food Show experience went, everyone agreed they had an excellent show, taking the opportunity to network and build connections through the specialty food community. All looked forward to next year to continue promoting traditional and innovative Greek products and companies to the wider U.S. and world markets.

More information about the SFA Summer Fancy Food Show is available online: https://www.specialtyfood.com.