Get under the big top
No, the circus isn?t in town. The big white tent outside of the Anaheim Marriott Hotel houses the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace, the always-popular event that kicks off this year?s Natural Products Expo West. Held between 12:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace combines the lively atmosphere of a traditional farmers? market with a highly focused business-to-business event for organics buyers and sellers. Growers and manufacturers of certified organic products will offer samples, answer questions and make connections with buyers. ?The Fresh Ideas tent offers a more intimate opportunity for networking and trade for the organic community,? says Scott Silverman, New Hope Natural Media?s organic program manager.

Find products faster with the buyer program
Feeling unfocused at Expo West? The Focused Buying Program will sharpen things up considerably while you?re navigating your way through the Anaheim Convention Center this March. Easily identifiable icons posted on booths will tell attendees exactly what natural product category that booth falls into. ?The icons highlight the hottest consumer trends,? says Jennifer Shumar, attendee marketing director. ?They make it much easier to find what you?re looking for.? Highlighted trends this year include Natural and Organic Foodservice, Specialty Diet, Sports Supplements, Anti-Aging, Grab ?n? Go, Kids, Branded Ingredients and Ethnic Foods.

Good times for a good cause
Who says you can?t mix business with pleasure? The 2nd Annual Organic Wine and Beer Tasting will allow you to do just that at Natural Products Expo West this year. Hosted by Mountain People?s Wine Distributing (with a little help from New Hope Natural Media), this event gives attendees a chance to sip and sample a wide variety of organic wine and beer from all over the globe. Held on March 19 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the big white tent outside the Anaheim Marriott, this is the perfect way to spend your Saturday night. And if delicious libations aren?t incentive enough, all proceeds from the tasting will be donated to The Organic Center for Education and Promotion, a nonprofit organization that provides consumers, health care professionals, educators, public officials and government agencies with credible, scientific information about the benefits of organics. The suggested donation is $10.

Natural Foods Merchandiser volume XXVI/number 2/p. 12