After nearly a decade showcasing California’s best food, Fresno expo ceasing operations

After close to a decade spotlighting and connecting local, regional and state-wide food producers and products, the California Food Expo is no more.

The board of directors has voted to dissolve the organization and cease operations, effective Jan. 31.

In a statement released Wednesday, the board cited financial and organizational constraints, while praising the work it has done over the past nine years.

“Because of the Expo, new innovative businesses have emerged. New industry collaborations have been formed. New buyer connections have been made. And a new awareness of our vibrant food production industry has been realized,” expo director Amy Fuentes said in the release.

“All of this has driven economic growth that will continue beyond the existence of the expo,” she added.

The expo started in 2011 as an economic development initiative (and pet project) from then-Mayor Ashley Swearengin. Called the Fresno Food Expo, the event aimed to showcase and connect the region’s food products with major retailers like Costco as a way to increase jobs and improve the economy.

New products and food celebrities

Over the years, the expo brought in dozens, sometimes hundreds, of food producers and connected them with buyers from across the world. It also provided training sessions and and an annual public event with awards ceremonies and food tastings.

In 2013, the expo’s New Product Awards saw 55 product launches, including Tioga Sequoia’s 99 Golden Ale and glass-bottled milk from Rosa Brothers Milk Co.

The expo also hosted food celebrities like Simon Majumdar and the Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert. (Majumdar was a fan of Annex Kitchen, to say the least.)

In 2018, the expo expanded its footprint to include companies from across the state and was rebranded as the California Food Expo. The move looked to increase exhibitor participation and shift the financial model from its dependence on sponsorships, according to the expo.

While the expansion generated new participation, the increase was not enough to sustain operations.

“We would like to thank all of our supporters who have played a role in making the California Food Expo a marquee food industry event; specifically, the sponsors who provided the financial means to make it possible year after year, and the exhibitors and buyers who believed in it and made it a truly unique event,” chairwoman Agnes Saghatelian said in the statement.

This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 2:18 PM.