Fastachi sells nut mixes, roasted nuts, and specialty items such as Wasabi peas, pepitas, and squash seeds. Each is packaged in a cello bag with bow, small or large gift tube with bow, burlap gift bags, and pillow packs.

I tried the Cranberry Nut Mix with pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, cashews, sesame peanuts, and seven more nuts plus and cranberries. Very fresh. The 4 oz. ($1.50 to $2.40 each) and 8 oz. sizes ($2.60 to $3.95 each) are best for baskets. Too many varieties and prices to mention. See the Web site.

I didn't expect to try chutney, but Vicki of Soulfully Good offered me a cracker topped with plum raisin chutmey and cream cheese. Yummy. Not too tart, no overly sweet taste; just a rich plum flavor. The company sells 37 flavors of preserves and chutneys in pretty 8 oz. mason-type jars topped with thin ribbon (12 for $35).

Preserve flavors include apple pie (great taste), fresh apricot, raspberry and chunky grapefruit. Some of the chutneys are cranberry, pumpkin, spicy tomato, and peach. Granola is also available in six flavors with great names such as Country Sunrise, Tropical Harmony, Coastal Mist, Warm Glow, and Peaceful Day. Samples are sent with every order.

What was in those small jewel-tone cans that I walked passed? I had to double back for a look. The cans contained naturally-flavored gourmet sugar by Princess of Yum.

Each has a sand-like consistency and a slightly different color to represent each flavor. If the small cans ($2.50 each) are too large, .75 oz. packets (29 cents each, $414.50 for 50 packets) are also available in the same jewel-tone colors.

Flavors are cinnamon spice, mint chocolate, French vanilla, amaretto, citrus lemon, and razz berry.

The downside to this product is that there is a four-case minimum of any assortment. However, consider the many uses for this product in just about every all-occasion and special occasion basket, paired with teas, coffees, cereals, breakfast baskets, and more. One year shelf life.

Did the buyer leaving the Big Bark Bakery booth realize that she was eating a dog biscuit? I'm not sure, but she seemed happy. Since I'm a pet lover and know that so many of our customers own dogs and cats, I had to check out this line.

The company sells dog and cat treats and specialty gifts. Large and small biscuits are on sticks (like lollopops, in clear bags and in square, white Styrofoam trays that resemble supermarket meat packaging. Cool cat snacks, too, along with beds for both pets.

Rather than eat my biscuits, I took them home to Pepper. Two paws up.

I remember seeing Custom Brands Unlimited at another trade show. This company sells teas, breads, pancake mixes, soups, dips, and muffin and scone mixes that can be private labeled with your company name.

New to this line are private label snack items. You can choose from cookies, cheese straws, and wine biscuits, all in a variety of flavors. A 3 oz. foil pouch sits inside a boxed package donned with one of three new labels promoting your company's name. $39 per case, 12 per case, two case minimum.

Ashur Products makes a snack called chocolate tamales. It's a long, solid candy coated in white or milk chocolate. The coated candy is packaged in clear cello which is wrapped in an off-white colored paper shell tied with red, yellow, or green raffia. Very nice.

It's packaged in singles (49 cents each), in sixes ($3.92), or by the dozen ($7.56). There's also Texas Gld Popcorn mixed with almonds and pecans in 6 oz. bags ($1.50 each) or 12 oz. bags ($2.88 each).

Wheeler's has a new line of Bourbon Praline Pecans in 5 oz. ($2.60) and 12 oz. bags ($5.30). I don't drink alcohol but found that the bourbon flavor complimented the pecans.

Also new is Magnolia Munchies, a mix of pecans, pretzels, banana chips and Chex mix, all drizzled with a white coating. love the pint-sizes ice cream packaging with a poly bag inside holding 8 oz. of product. Six month shelf life ($4.50). The sugar-free chocolate pecans were absolutely delicious. No funny flavor, no strange aftertaste.

Now for the regular chocolate-covered pecans. Absolutely decadent. For a moment, all of my troubles went away. Available in a 5 oz. box and bags in 3 oz., 5 oz., and 12 oz. There's also a camouflage bag for men's baskets.

Did you know that Alaska Smokehouse sells more than 30 items under $3? This includes a 2 oz. pillow-packed smoked salmon ($2.75), 1.75 oz. salmon teriyaki stix ($1.50), chocolate bars in assorted flavors (75 cents each), and cheesecakes ($2.75). Lots more available.

Return to the Show Reports main page

NOTE:
Information in each Show Report provides details on products displayed at trade shows. It does not constitute 1) company or product endorsements or 2) prevailing products or prices.

Read the intro