Trendspotting at the 2022 National Restaurant Association Show

The National Restaurant Association Show may be over, but WGB is still taking in the sights, sounds—and trends. There was no shortage of innovative, new products designed for retail on the trade show’s expo floor. Sustainability and plant-based were two of the biggest trends WGB spotted, along with bold new flavors, an emphasis on health and wellness, and convenient packaging and formats. Click through for scenes from the floor.

Rohnert Park, Calif.-based World Centric, which offers sustainable and compostable to-go containers, lids, cups and more, showcased its new touchless cutlery dispenser at the Show. The dispenser holds up to 375 pieces of certified compostable TPLA cutlery and allows users to take only what they need.

Plant-based was undoubtedly one of the larger trends on the expo floor, and Fall River, Mass.-based Blount Fine Foods was right there with its new plant-based comfort meals as part of its Blount’s Family Kitchen brand. The new options include Plant-Based Chili and Gemelli & Peppers with Plant-Based Crumbles. The meals are ready within minutes in the microwave.

Cold-pressed juice company Just Made, based in Houston, featured its newest flavors: Prickly Pear & Watermelon and Basil & Mint Lemonade. The company, whose products can be found in grocers such as H-E-B, Bristol Farms and Albertsons, said it specializes in tropical and exotic flavors.

Emeryville, Calif.-based Ripple, maker of dairy alternative products, featured three new products: Ripple Kids, Protein Shakes, and Oatmilk + Protein. All products contain anywhere from 6 grams to 20 grams of plant-based pea protein and are gluten-, soy-, nut- and lactose-free. The company also showcased its new dairy-free soft serve, which comes in vanilla, chocolate, swirl and an original base, which a Ripple spokesperson said companies can use to create just about any flavor they want.

West Valley City, Utah-based Tru Fru, maker of frozen snacks made from real fruit and premium chocolate, showcases its new Pina Colada Pineapple + White Chocolate flavor. The variety, which has 70 calories per serving, is available in 8-ounce and 5-ounce packages.

Family-owned Peanut Butter & Co. makes non-GMO and gluten-free peanut butter, almond butter, hazelnut spreads, squeeze packs and dipping cups. Its No Sugar Added creamy and crunchy peanut butters are the newest in the company’s lineup. And on the sustainability front, the New York-based company noted that it works with the Plastic Credit Exchange on being plastic neutral.

London-based tea and beverage company Twinings (U.S. headquarters in Greensboro, N.C.) showcased its new Superblend Teas and Cold Infuse From Twinings. The Superblend Teas focus on health and wellness, with benefits such as immune support, probiotics and sleep. Cold Infuse, meanwhile, is an herbal water enhancer that comes in five flavors and can be used on-the-go.

Plant-based food company WayFare Foods, which is based in Bozeman, Mont., is adding three plant-based yogurts to its portfolio. Created from pumpkin seeds, organic butter beans and oats, the yogurt is free from the 10 most common allergens, the company said.

New York-based Owl’s Brew, a female founded company based that makes “boozy tea,” showed off its new single packs of Black Tea Pineapple and White Tea Watermelon flavors. Each variety in the Owl’s Brew lineup is made with fresh-brewed tea and has 4.8% ABV and 100 calories per serving. A variety pack called Happiest Hour will be released this summer.

Lavazza, an Italian manufacturer of coffee products with U.S. headquarters in New York, displayed its new ready-to-drink Organic Cold Brew Coffee lineup, which includes classic, cappuccino, nitro and double shot options. The drinks are made with 100% Arabica coffee.