The foodservice industry's most anticipated networking event is set to deliver another powerhouse lineup of innovative brands and suppliers. ECRM's upcoming foodservice sessions promise to connect industry professionals with game-changing products, cutting-edge solutions, and forward-thinking companies that are reshaping how we think about campus dining, commercial foodservice, and retail food operations.
With over 50 participating companies spanning multiple continents and product categories, these sessions represent a comprehensive showcase of where the food and beverage industry is heading. From artisanal bakeries to international food manufacturers, plant-based innovators to beverage disruptors, the diversity of participants reflects the evolving landscape of foodservice procurement and menu innovation.
Understanding ECRM's Three-Tier Approach
The ECRM sessions are strategically divided into three distinct tracks, each designed to address specific market segments within the broader foodservice ecosystem. The Campus Foodservice Sessions focus on university dining operations, student life centers, and educational institution food programs. Commercial Foodservice Sessions target restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, and corporate dining operations. Meanwhile, Foodservice at Retail Sessions bridge the gap between traditional retail and foodservice, addressing the growing grab-and-go, prepared foods, and in-store dining segments.
Each participant company registers for sessions lasting either 10 or 20 minutes, providing focused opportunities to showcase products, discuss partnerships, and explore distribution channels. This efficient format, accessible through the ECRM MarketGate portal, ensures that both suppliers and buyers maximize their time while building meaningful business relationships.
International Flavors and Specialty Foods Leading Innovation
Altrofood United States (Website: https://altrofoodusa.com) headlines the international specialty foods category, participating across Campus Foodservice sessions with 10-minute presentation slots. Their presence signals the growing demand for authentic international flavors in institutional dining programs.
GORDIAN FOODS from Guatemala (Website: https://www.gordianfoods.com/) brings Central American specialties to both Campus Foodservice and Foodservice at Retail sessions, each lasting 10 minutes. This participation reflects the increasing appreciation for Latin American cuisine in mainstream foodservice operations.
Saleh The Good Farm from Egypt (Website: https://www.salehthegoodfarm.com) demonstrates the global reach of modern foodservice procurement, with 10-minute sessions across all three tracks: Campus Foodservice, Commercial Foodservice, and Foodservice at Retail. Their comprehensive approach suggests significant growth potential in North American markets.
Freybe Gourmet Foods (Website: https://freybe.com/us/ | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/freybe-gourmet-foods-ltd/) from Canada continues their expansion into U.S. markets with "Das Different!" positioning across all session types. Their 10-minute presentations in Campus, Commercial, and Retail segments highlight the cross-border food and beverage opportunities that drive industry growth.
Dairy, Beverages, and Specialty Ingredients
The dairy and beverage sectors are well-represented with several major players committed to multiple session formats. Arla Foods, Inc. (Website: https://www.arlausa.com) participates in both Campus Foodservice and Foodservice at Retail sessions, each lasting 10 minutes, showcasing their portfolio of dairy ingredients and finished products.
Gregory Packaging Inc. (Website: https://gregorypackaginginc.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/suncup-juice) demonstrates comprehensive market coverage with 10-minute sessions across all three tracks, earning RangeMe Verified™ status. Their participation in Campus, Commercial, and Retail segments positions them as a versatile supplier capable of meeting diverse foodservice needs.
United Beverage Solutions (LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-beverage-solutions) from Canada commits significant time with 20-minute sessions across all three categories: Campus Foodservice, Commercial Foodservice, and Foodservice at Retail. This extended format suggests substantial product portfolios and strategic initiatives targeting the North American market.
Wild Tonic (Website: https://wildtonic.com) focuses specifically on Commercial Foodservice and Foodservice at Retail with 10-minute sessions, reflecting the growing demand for functional beverages in workplace and retail environments. Their selective approach indicates targeted market positioning rather than broad-based distribution strategies.
Bakery and Dessert Innovation
The bakery segment showcases remarkable diversity, from artisanal operations to large-scale manufacturers. Delizza Patisserie (Website: https://www.delizza.us) commits to all three session types with 10-minute presentations, demonstrating their versatility in serving campus dining, commercial operations, and retail applications through their RangeMe platform presence.
The Pink Lemonade Cake Company (Website: https://pinklemonadecakes.com) mirrors this comprehensive approach with 10-minute sessions across Campus Foodservice, Commercial Foodservice, and Foodservice at Retail. Their participation reflects the growing demand for unique dessert offerings that differentiate foodservice operations.
Sweet Mae's Cookie Co (Website: https://sweetmaescookies.com | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetmaescookies/ | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sweet-maes-cookie-co) targets Commercial Foodservice exclusively with 10-minute sessions, suggesting specialized products designed for restaurant and hospitality applications. Sweet Land Bakery & Beverage Inc (Website: https://www.gosweetland.com | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetLandB/) similarly focuses on Commercial Foodservice, indicating targeted positioning within specific market segments.
The Good Bread Company (Michigan Bread) (Website: https://thegoodbread.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-good-bread-company) participates solely in Commercial Foodservice sessions, highlighting the artisanal bread market's focus on high-quality restaurant and hospitality partnerships.
Protein and Prepared Foods
The protein sector features several innovative companies addressing different market needs. Black Sheep Egg Company (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Black-Sheep-Egg-Company-61569802466947/) participates in Campus Foodservice with 10-minute sessions, targeting the institutional egg market with presumably differentiated products or supply chain advantages.
Phillips Foods Inc. (Website: https://www.phillipsfoods.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phillips-foods) focuses on Campus Foodservice with 10-minute presentations, likely showcasing seafood products designed for institutional dining operations. Their selective approach suggests specialized offerings rather than broad market positioning.
La Terra Fina (Website: https://laterrafina.com) commits significant time with 20-minute sessions in both Campus and Commercial Foodservice segments, indicating substantial product portfolios that require extended presentation formats to adequately showcase their capabilities.
Olympia Foods (Website: https://olympiafoods.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olympia-foods) demonstrates maximum commitment with 20-minute sessions across all three tracks: Campus Foodservice, Commercial Foodservice, and Foodservice at Retail. This comprehensive approach suggests a major supplier with diverse product lines capable of serving multiple market segments.
Emerging Categories and Specialty Products
Several companies represent emerging food and beverage categories that reflect evolving consumer preferences. Lakanto (Website: https://www.lakanto.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lakanto) participates in Commercial Foodservice with 10-minute sessions, likely showcasing their monk fruit sweetener products as operators seek healthier alternatives to traditional sweeteners.
Nibrew (Website: https://nibrew.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nibrew) targets Campus Foodservice exclusively with 10-minute sessions and RangeMe Verified™ status, suggesting innovative beverage products designed specifically for younger demographics and campus environments.
Underdog Performance, Inc (Website: https://drinkunderdog.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/underdog-llc) focuses on Campus Foodservice with 10-minute sessions through RangeMe, indicating performance-oriented nutrition products that align with student athlete and fitness-focused market segments.
Wholly Veggie (Website: https://whollyveggie.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wholly-veggie) from Canada participates in Campus Foodservice with 10-minute sessions, reflecting the growing demand for plant-based options in institutional dining programs and the cross-border expansion of Canadian food companies.
Sauces, Seasonings, and Flavor Solutions
The flavor and seasoning category includes several companies positioned to enhance existing menu offerings. San-J International, Inc. (Website: https://san-j.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/san-j) participates in both Campus and Commercial Foodservice with 10-minute sessions, showcasing their Asian-inspired sauce and seasoning portfolio.
FillMyRecipe LLC (dba Flavor Temptations) (Website: https://flavortemptations.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flavortemptations) commits to all three session types with 10-minute presentations and RangeMe presence, suggesting comprehensive flavor solutions that work across diverse foodservice applications.
Tals Mediterranean (Website: https://talsmediterranean.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tals-everydaymediterranean) participates across all three tracks with 10-minute sessions, indicating authentic Mediterranean products designed for multiple market segments within the foodservice industry.
Strategic Implications for Foodservice Professionals
The breadth of participating companies reflects several key trends shaping the food and beverage industry. International suppliers are increasingly targeting North American foodservice markets, bringing authentic flavors and specialized products to institutional and commercial operations. The presence of companies across multiple session types indicates the blurring lines between traditional foodservice categories, as operators seek versatile products that work across different dining formats.
The mix of 10-minute and 20-minute session formats suggests varying levels of product complexity and market readiness. Companies committing to longer sessions typically have more comprehensive product portfolios or require additional time to explain complex supply chain arrangements, co-manufacturing capabilities, or customization options.
For foodservice professionals attending these sessions, the diverse lineup presents opportunities to discover products that can differentiate their operations, improve margins, and meet evolving consumer expectations around authenticity, health, sustainability, and convenience.
The complete roster of participating companies, session schedules, and additional details are available through the ECRM MarketGate portal, where registered attendees can access the most current information and begin planning their session priorities.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
