In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff and Patricia Menegoto from the Startup CPG team sit down with Leana Salamah of the Specialty Food Association to learn all about the upcoming Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, as well as Luca Molinari of BARIS, who exhibited last year, and Jaden McTaggart from Earth Fare, a show regular.

They kick things off with an inside look at the upcoming Summer Fancy Food Show in New York—why it’s one of the most high-impact events of the year for emerging brands, and what makes the Startup CPG section a magnet for top-tier buyers. Leana shares how the show supports brands at every stage, while Daniel and Patricia offer a behind-the-scenes look at their curated events, pitch sessions, and founder networking opportunities.

Then, Luca shares the story behind BARIS—a Patagonia-born, chocolate-dipped raspberry brand that turned a single tabletop at Fancy Food into major retail wins. He shares insights on connecting with buyers, leading with purpose, and building traction as a young brand.

Lastly, Jaden offers the buyer’s perspective from Earth Fare, explaining what stands out at Fancy Food, how he approaches early-stage brands, and why product mission, packaging, and personal connection matter more than ever.

Tune in now!

Our upcoming Fancy Food Show 101 webinar: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fancy-food-show-101-get-ready-for-the-2025-summer-show-tickets-1291507807619?aff=oddtdtcreator

Apply for the Startup CPG section at Fancy Food Show:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbu0jtXP2n-tS1xSWhC9LHorFI8Fm736mujws35eftWixlfg/viewform 

Listen in as they share about:

• Overview of the Fancy Food Show (Summer Edition)
• Opportunities for Brands at the Show
• What to Expect from the Show
• Startup CPG’s Role and Events at the Show
• Brand Perspective - SFA (Leana)
• Brand Perspective – Baris (Luca)
• Buyer Perspective – Earth Fare (Jaden)
• Tips for Brands Attending Fancy Food

Episode Links:

Website: https://www.specialtyfood.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leana-rogers-salamah-5770862/ 

Website: https://everybaris.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-molinari-cattarossi/

Website: https://www.instagram.com/earthfare/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaden-mctaggart-1167225b/ 

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Daniel's Linkedin 
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected]
• Episode music by Super Fantastics