FoodMix President Sara Hagen Shares Her Hot Takes on the Biggest Food Event in the Biz

Another year, another NRA Show in the books! This year’s show was marked by an invigorating energy that truly felt refreshing. I’ve often wished for the show to move out of Chicago to inspire exhibitors to innovate and break away from their usual routines. This year, I’m pleased to report, there was actually a noticeable shift. Seeing big food brands like Nestlé, Smucker’s, and Kraft Heinz return in full force was a strong testament to the industry’s health.

We work in an amazing industry, driven by passionate professionals who are committed to supporting one another. Whether it’s a love for creating, a dedication to brand excellence, or a commitment to hospitality, this passion translates into a vibrant and enthusiastic workforce. This year, the food world’s finest brought their A game, and I’d love to share some of the standout themes.

A Trip Around the Globe 

The foodservice industry is a playground for culinary artists, constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional cuisine. This year, I was particularly impressed by offerings from Cambodia and Hawaii, which I hadn’t expected to find at the show. The Lakeside Hall was a fantastic opportunity to tour the globe, featuring flavors and innovations from China, Japan, Poland, Egypt, France, Italy, and many more.

The Future of Plant-Based Possibilities

Plant-based brands like Impossible and Beyond were, of course, present at the show. While opinions are still mixed on the “0% mystery meat,” there has been a notable emergence of more natural offerings. The growth of upcycled ingredients seems to be the name of the game when it comes to identifying new trends in plant-based innovation.

Innovation in Sustainability

Sustainability was a key theme this year. There were washable menus, reusable straws, and a new kind of non-plastic disposable straw that doesn’t immediately begin to disintegrate the second you take a drink from it (like most current paper straws are notorious for). Eco-friendly packaging was also prevalent. One standout swag item was a reusable net for produce, offering a sustainable alternative to those little plastic bags. The “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” motto is clearly here to stay.

Sensory Experiences

In my honest opinion, I believe the key to making a food trade show an enjoyable and immersive activity is creating a unique sensory experience for visitors. The ability to engage the interest of the modern human’s 8-second attention span within the vast expanse of 12 football fields’ worth of food and beverage booths is truly a herculean effort. My personal favorites for BEST IN SHOW go to:

The Food Show Always Feels Like Home

Every year, I joke about celebrating my birthday with 50,000+ of my closest friends. While I sometimes miss being home with my family, this year I realized how lucky I am to be part of an industry that literally feels like family. I relished (food pun intended) the opportunity to make another year of amazing memories with client friends, industry partners, and my wonderful FoodMix team. We spent quality time remembering old stories that can only be shared in small crowds as well as dining out at some of Chicago’s finest restaurants. I also celebrated a personal milestone of 25 years of attending the NRA BBQ. All in all, I have to say, I couldn’t have been prouder to continue living the foodservice dream at this year’s NRA. 

A special thank-you to my team for showing up every year and being part of the industry’s biggest event. They were everywhere—representing clients and our brand, learning, sharing, and celebrating the wonderful world of food. And a special thank-you to every industry friend who was able to attend the FoodMix happy hour. It was a fun event at a great location in the heart of Michigan Avenue, where the roots of FoodMix were set.

Cheers – and I look forward to seeing everyone next year!