Annual Food Show

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Market news

Latest updates from across the market.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Case pack

The number of consumer units packed into one shipping case, for example 12 jars or 24 boxes. Case pack drives pallet counts, freight cost and shelf-ready presentation, so buyers compare it alongside unit cost when they evaluate a food line at the show.

2

Private label

A product made for a specific retailer or distributor and sold under that company's own brand rather than the manufacturer's. Private-label conversations at an Amish Country food event usually centre on who owns the recipe, who holds the specification and how packaging is approved.

3

Co-packing (co-man)

A third-party food manufacturer that produces, fills and seals a brand's product under contract. Brands use co-packers to scale without building a plant; distributors ask which co-packer runs a line because it affects capacity, audit status and lead time.

4

MOQ (minimum order quantity)

The smallest order a supplier will accept, expressed in cases, pallets or dollars. Rural specialty food producers often set MOQs per SKU, so a distributor buying a mixed pallet may need to combine several items to hit the threshold.

5

Slotting fee

A charge a retailer or warehouse club levies to give a new item shelf or warehouse space. It is a grocery-specific cost that shapes whether a small Amish Country producer can get a first listing, and it is usually negotiated separately from unit price.

6

Cold chain

The unbroken temperature-controlled path from production through storage, transport and display, typically for cheese, dairy, meat and refrigerated dough. At a rural venue, buyers confirm whether the exhibitor can deliver in reefers and whether the retailer has case-ready cooler space.

7

Shelf life and code date

The period a food product stays at intended quality, plus the printed date format (best-by, sell-by, use-by). Distributors match shelf life to their inventory turns: a 12-month ambient product fits a slow-turning rural independent far better than a 21-day refrigerated item.

8

Lot code and traceability

A production-batch identifier that lets a supplier trace and, if needed, recall product. Traceability records are a standard ask from grocery buyers and are tested in food-safety audits.

9

LTL (less-than-truckload)

Freight shipped as part of a shared trailer rather than a full dedicated truck. Small specialty food suppliers rely on LTL to serve distributors economically, and freight minimums often decide whether an order is viable.

10

DSD (direct store delivery)

A supplier delivering straight to individual stores and merchandising the shelf, rather than shipping through a distribution centre. DSD matters for bread, snacks and seasonal items where freshness and shelf control decide sales.

11

Distributor versus broker

A distributor takes ownership of inventory, warehouses it and invoices the retailer. A broker represents a brand to buyers, earns commission and never touches the product. Both appear at food trade events and the distinction shapes the commercial terms you negotiate.

12

Category management

Managing a group of related products - for example jams and preserves - as a single business unit with assortment, pricing and promotion plans. Retail buyers use category reviews to decide which specialty items earn a permanent slot.

13

HACCP, FSMA and GFSI audits

The food-safety framework most US grocery buyers expect: HACCP-style hazard controls, FSMA-aligned preventive controls and, often, a GFSI-benchmarked audit such as SQF. Suppliers typically carry audit certificates and recent scores to buyer meetings.

14

Bulk foods

Unpackaged or minimally packaged goods sold by weight, including flour, grains, spices, dried fruit, snack mixes and candy. Bulk is a signature Amish Country retail format, and buyers ask about bin-ready case packs, allergen separation and turnover rates.

15

GTIN and UPC

The GS1-issued identifiers printed as a barcode on retail packaging. A new item cannot be listed without one, and packaging changes that alter pack size require a new GTIN.

16

Independent grocer and buying co-op

Family-run or single-store retailers, often served through a cooperative wholesaler. They are the natural channel for regional specialty food lines and typically buy smaller, more frequent drops than national chains.

17

Amish Country specialty foods

The regional product set associated with Holmes County and surrounding Ohio counties: egg noodles, jams, apple butter, cheeses, bulk baking supplies, fry pies and similar shelf-stable or refrigerated staples. It is a distinct merchandising story for retailers selling regional authenticity.