This year’s International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) Show brought more than 10,000 food industry professionals to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans from June 1–3.
With over 1,000 exhibitors — including 238 first-timers from 28 countries — the event served as a dynamic platform for trend-spotting, networking, and innovation across the dairy, deli, and bakery sectors. Here were some of the highlights from the event:
A showcase of innovation
At the heart of the show was “What’s in Store Live” (WISL), an immersive display blending fresh merchandising concepts with curated product trends. Expert-led WISL Workshops offered insight into consumer preferences and product development strategies.
The beloved “Cake’d Challenge” returned for its third year, with skilled decorators from IDDBA member retailers competing in real-time using mystery ingredients to showcase their artistry and speed.
IDDBA 2025 also drew high-wattage speakers like Michael Strahan, Kevin Costner, Chef Carla Hall, Buddy Valastro, and Claire Saffitz, who each shared reflections on leadership, creativity, and resilience. Continuing its tradition of giving back, the event concluded with roughly 200,000 pounds of donated food going to Second Harvest Food Bank.
Success
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Success
Check your email to complete sign up
From gourmet pâtés and sustainable chocolate to self-serve salad bars and tech-driven balsamic vinegar, IDDBA 2025 captured the full spectrum of innovation in the fresh food space. With sustainability, quality, and convenience at the forefront, these standout brands show where the future of deli, dairy, and bakery is headed.
Featured exhibitors
Zenshi
Emerging from the rebranding of AFC Sushi, Zenshi blends Japanese tradition with convenience, offering fresh sushi, poke, and bao across 3,000+ grocery stores. Backed by Wonderfield Group, Zenshi’s brand philosophy — rooted in “Wakei Seijyaku” — emphasizes harmony and tranquility.
Flax4Life
Known for its allergy-friendly baked goods, this Washington-based bakery launched a vegan line at IDDBA 2025 featuring Lemna protein. Their muffins and brownies are rich in fiber, protein, and omega-3s, and come in eco-friendly packaging.
Fage
This Greek dairy icon, famous for its thick, protein-rich Greek yogurt, maintains a 29 percent U.S. market share. Fage continues to innovate while staying rooted in tradition, offering products with no added sugars and expanding its presence globally.
Clovis
Established in 1797, Clovis is a Champagne-based producer of vinegars and mustards, including a 6-year oak-aged Champagne vinegar favored by Michelin chefs. Its Dijon and truffle mustards bring old-world flavor to modern cuisine.
Alexian Pâté
A family-owned, women-certified business since 1982, Alexian crafts gourmet pâtés and mousses using antibiotic-free meats and traditional methods. Their products are sold at Whole Foods and through specialty online retailers.
Pretzelized
With proprietary baking technology, Pretzelized reinvents familiar snacks like pita chips and crackers with a pretzel twist. Sold on Amazon and in Costco, these baked, non-GMO snacks are gaining traction fast.
Tre Foglie
This boutique balsamic brand imports 4-year-aged, Modena-certified balsamic vinegar with no additives. Crafted in small batches, Tre Foglie delivers authenticity in every bottle.
Lower’s Family Foods
Now in its fourth generation, this Utah-based meat producer specializes in allergen-free, hardwood-smoked beef and poultry. Their Certified Angus brisket and sustainability practices set them apart in both retail and foodservice channels.
Stellar Pretzels
Stellar Snacks, founded by a mother-daughter duo, offers bold-flavored, vegan pretzel braids like Maui Monk and French Dijon. In 2023, they opened a $137 million facility in Kentucky to meet growing demand.
Godshall’s
As a 100 percent employee-owned company, Godshall’s is a major player in premium smoked meats. Their turkey and beef bacon lines are expanding westward, with a focus on cage-free sourcing and sustainability.
TCHO
This Berkeley-based chocolate maker fuses science with ethics, using “Flavor Labs” and farmer partnerships to craft award-winning, plant-based chocolates. Since going fully dairy-free in 2022, TCHO continues to receive rave reviews.
Sushi Avenue
Recently acquired by Japan’s Sojitz Corporation, Sushi Avenue supplies fresh, sustainable sushi to retailers and institutions across 20+ states. All ingredients are FDA-compliant and certified by MSC, ASC, or BAP.
Simply BKLVA
Offering handmade baklava crafted in Dubai, Simply BKLVA uses premium nuts, agave syrup, and ghee. Sold online and in retailers like Amazon and Walmart, they also offer gluten-free and no-sugar-added options.
Valsa Group
This Italian conglomerate has rapidly grown through acquisitions to become a leading producer of chilled and frozen pizza. Operating six plants in Italy, Valsa prioritizes clean-label, sustainable products for global markets.
Top Seedz
Founded in Buffalo by New Zealander Rebecca Brady, Top Seedz creates organic, vegan seed crackers and snacks. Now in 4,000+ stores, the brand employs women from 20+ countries and just opened a major new production facility.
Raincoast Crisps
Created by chef Lesley Stowe, these artisan crisps are beloved for cheese pairings. Made in small batches with ingredients like cranberries, nuts, and seeds, they’re a favorite on Reddit cheese boards and at Whole Foods.
Deep River Snacks
Known for its bold-flavored kettle chips, this Connecticut-based brand donates 10 percent of profits to charity. Acquired by Arca Continental in 2017, Deep River continues its mission under the slogan “Because We Give a Chip.”
Rachelli
This premium Italian dessert brand, now under Emmi Group, offers biodynamic, gluten-free frozen desserts like tiramisu and mousses. Their glass-packed tiramisu debuted in the UK’s Waitrose in 2023.
I. Rice & Co.
With over 140 years in business, this Philadelphia company supplies dessert ingredients and syrups to foodservice clients. Recent collaborations include frozen beverage bases branded with Oreo and Sour Patch Kids.
Chudleigh’s
From apple orchards to national dessert brand, Chudleigh’s offers made-from-scratch frozen desserts and operates a popular agritourism farm in Ontario. Products include their signature Apple Blossoms and Lava Cakes.
Five Star Organics
This global supplier based in New Jersey sources non-GMO, certified organic ingredients for food and pet products. They emphasize safety and sustainability in sourcing.
Picadeli
Sweden’s Picadeli is rethinking fast food with self-serve, AI-optimized salad bars in grocery stores and gas stations. With 100 U.S. locations and counting, Picadeli combines freshness, convenience, and low carbon impact.
