# BONUS:  Winter Fancy Food Show Recap

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2025-02-26
- Length: 40m
- Episode: 125
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-02-26-bonus-winter-fancy-food-show-recap
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/31022cfc

## Summary

Patricia Menegoto and Kiki Huddleston from Startup CPG, along with Brendan Cravitz of Azabu Foods x Meatless Future and Maxi Heidenblut of Häppy Candy, discuss the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas. They highlight how Startup CPG’s curated 20-booth section and Female Founder Lounge created a high-ROI environment for small brands, facilitating deep conversations with buyers from Whole Foods, Thrive Market, and Bristol Farms. The guests emphasize that success at trade shows relies on pre-show outreach, product quality, and leveraging community support to maximize networking opportunities and secure distribution deals.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Startup CPG Section Highlights and Community
2. Brand Success Factors: Product, Story, and Pre-Show Prep
3. Brendan Cravitz: Azabu Foods and Meatless Future Show Experience
4. Maxi Heidenblut: Häppy Candy and Whole Foods Buyer Meetings
5. Lessons Learned: Pitching, Follow-Up, and Future Strategy

## Topics

- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Startup CPG (company)
- Azabu Foods (company)
- Meatless Future (company)
- Häppy Candy (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Thrive Market (company)
- Bristol Farms (company)
- New Seasons (company)
- Expo West (other)
- Fancy Food Show (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [290 - Taylor Foxman is the master connector for CPG's!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-09-26-290-taylor-foxman-is-the-master-connector-for-cpgs) (People of Packaging)
- [148: Grow Your Hardware Product Sales Via Trade Shows](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-11-02-148-grow-your-hardware-product-sales-via-trade-shows) (Product Startup)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 20 - Ti Chang, 'Women in Industrial Design' Show Organizer (06/12)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2014-06-12-afterschool-podcast-episode-20-ti-chang-women-in-industrial-design-show-organize) (Core77 Podcast)
- [BONUS: 5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Trade Show](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-09-14-bonus-5-tips-for-getting-the-most-out-of-a-trade-show) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Advice Line with Jeni Britton of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (2025)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-07-09-advice-line-with-jeni-britton-of-jenis-splendid-ice-creams-2025) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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