Once a year the Fresno Food Expo brings together growers, processors, manufacturers and industry service providers from across California to connect and discuss business with buyers worldwide.

What once began as an economic development initiative by the City of Fresno in 2011 has now become a one-of-a-kind exclusive regional food show.  The Expo has brought increased awareness to California’s food production industry, allowing new and innovative businesses to collaborate together with the more tried and true companies in the business.

 “We strongly believe providing a platform to encourage and recognize innovation is critically important not only to the mission of the Expo, but to the growth and prosperity of our region’s food industry,” stated Erin Goldfarb, a partner at Baker Peterson Franklin, one of the event sponsors.

This long and ever-growing list of attendees includes a few businesses from within Stanislaus County, even as close to home as Denair.

Nutcher Milk Company, a family owned and operated dairy farm; Varni’s Brothers Corporation, a beverage business and owners of Noah’s Spring Water; Traina Foods, producers of sun dried fruits and owners of The Fruit Yard in Modesto; and finally CJ Produx, a food marketing and distributor from Denair.

The Expo has introduced 226 different food and beverage companies to new customers and hosted 1,825 different qualified buyers, including over 100 strategically recruited international buyers.

The Fresno Food Expo will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 27 and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 28. The event will also feature special guest Simon Majumdar, world renowned author, broadcaster and Food Network personality featured on shows such as “Cutthroat Kitchen,” “Beat Bobby Flay” and “The Next Iron Chef.”