Fresno’s big foodie event is back with a new name. How to buy tickets, taste the food
The Fresno Food Expo ran for nearly a decade as a showcase for local, regional and state-wide food producers and their products — especially new products. The public portion of the event was popular with local foodies and food celebrities, and the whole thing served to raise positive awareness of the vast food industry connected to the central San Joaquin Valley.
When the annual event ceased operations due to financial and organizational constraints, the loss was felt by the community.
“Since the Food Expo ended in 2019, there has been an outpouring of community support to bring this event back,” says Amy Fuentes, Chief Operating Officer at the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, and a founder and manager of the expo.
Last spring, Fuentes and others began to tease just that: posting photos from past expos with the food expo logo and a quick message.
“It’s back.”
The Fresno Chamber of Commerce confirmed that the event is back, announcing dates for MADE Central California, a food industry trade show that keeps the general form and mission of the Fresno Food Expo, if not the name.
“Truth be told, it’s the people and the companies that make up our region’s thriving food industry that our community has been asking for,” Fuentes says. “The mission of MADE Central California and the Chamber align in a way that makes sense for our organization to carry this mission forward in a format that is more inclusive, innovative and focused on connecting our region’s thriving food industry.”
The two day event happens Wednesday, Aug. 31 and Thursday, Sept. 1 at the Fresno Convention Center.
There will be educational sessions and round table discussions, networking opportunities and, of course, the much-beloved public event.
The rebranded TASTE Central California that’s open to the public happens from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 1.
The public is invited to check out the vendors’ food and beverages. They can also try dishes made by local restaurants competing to create the best dish.
And they can vote for their favorite local product as part of the “Foodie Favorite Awards.”
Tickets can be purchased online via Ticketmaster through the show’s website. Or by stopping by or calling the Fresno Chamber at 2331 Fresno St., or 559-495-4800.
Tickets cost $50, but the public can get 50% off by using the promo code “chamber.”
But the event isn’t just a rehashing of what’s been done.
MADE Central California will also be open to Industry Service Providers (those non-food companies). There will be an industry speed-dating event (because the event is all about making connections) and a new awards section inspired by “Shark Tank.”
Local companies will pitch new and innovative products at the “Caglia Environmental Pressure Cooker.” The winner gets a $10,000 prize. The event will get its own live television broadcast on KSEE 24, according to the announcement.
“We are excited for the opportunity to take a new approach in bringing this event back because there are so many unique and innovative things happening in the food industry right now, much of which is happening right here in our own backyard,” said Rebecca Sustaita, special events manager for the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, and manager of MADE Central California.
The returning exhibitor list is already filling up and with familiar names: Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company, Rosa Brothers Milk Company, Wawona Frozen Foods, Busseto Foods, Valley Lahvosh Baking Company, California Natural Color, True Gold Honey, Wild Game Jerky, Ampersand Ice Cream, Vacaville Fruit Co. Inc., Jalen’s Bakery, Mininger Foods, Inc., Crazy Go Nuts, Dog’s Dig Em, and Baloian Farms.
This story was originally published April 13, 2022 at 12:02 PM.