Walking into the Good Food Expo at the Pasadena Convention Center Monday and Tuesday November 6 and 7 I was greeted with sights and aromas of the future of food in Southern California. I was glad the sponsor of the event, Whole Foods Markets, gave me two full days to walk the floor, speak to the wide variety of vendors, and sample some incredible foods and beverages. There was so much to see that I needed both days.

I especially appreciated the fact that the tone of the Expo was more of a “gathering” rather than a lot of salesman in suits trying to write orders for pallets of wine and cases of exotic sounding curry mixes. Whole Foods invited vendors to come and meet with the Grocery Team Leads and Store Leads in a relaxed “give and take” atmosphere. I was able to learn what made each product special and about the special people who created these products. The variety included everything from Wine, Pastas,Cheeses,and desserts, to my own personal favorite... Tortilla Chips and Guacamole. There were over 250 vendors assembled for the two day event. Vendors included consumer favorites like American Flatbread, Allegro Coffee, Earl's Organics, Pyramid Flowers, Scotty's Guacamole, Tinitas Salsa, and Whale Tails Tortilla Chips.

After talking to the owners of the companies that produce these delicious products it made sense to me why Whole Foods is such a successful natural foods retailer. Each of the vendors I spoke to also said how much they appreciated the effort of Debbie Hounanian, the Customer Information-Regional Office Manager for Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific Region, in putting this event on. Ms Hounanian said “this event is a great opportunity for vendors and store leads to exchange ideas. The vendors get a chance to hear what the customer is saying to the individual stores about their products and the store leads get some input on what they would like to see in the way of flavors, size of packaging and product presentation.”

I promised myself that I would spend the first day sampling the pastas, wines, cheese variety's, and seafood selections. And the next day would be spent indulging in rich coffee drinks, chocolates, and the latest in organic snacks. I think the highlight of my two day adventure into the future of food was the back area of the expo where Whole Foods assembled the beer, chips, guacamole, and salsa vendors. It seem to be the area with the biggest crowd and I was not disappointed. Right in the middle was a colorful booth with a charming blonde women and her husband. They were giving away bags of a new organic chip they call Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. I learned, after speaking to Terry Kraszewski, one of the co-founders, that besides Whale Tails unique shape and great flavor, which comes from the Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt they use, is a commitment to “give back”. Terry said “ My husband and his friend convinced me that we could make a quality product and get people involved in marine conservation just by enjoying a great tasting tortilla chip.” Well apparently Terry's husband and best friend were right because with help of Whole Foods loyal customers Whale Tails Tortilla Chips just funded the water quality surveys for the month of October in Magdalena Bay. Tommy, a produce lead, from the Whole Foods Store in Torrance said “Man these chips are so cool..the kids love 'em and ask for them by name.” Whale Tails Tortilla Chips claims they are “better for dipping by natural design” and It was easy for me to put them to the test.

On one side of Whale Tails was a booth that was giving away the best tasting prepared guacamole I have ever tasted. It is made by Art and Claire Coady and their product is called Scotty's (named after their son). Art even let me in on a few of his secrets. However I had to promise not to tell. And on the other side of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips was a huge selection of salsas ranging from mild to flaming hot manufactured by Tinitas. The owners are a husband and wife team, Daryl and Helen “Tina” Bonsall. This enchanting couple told me stories of what it takes to be successful, however just one dip of their Home style Flaming Hot was all I needed to know why their salsa is being sold all over Southern California.

Next year I want Whole Foods to plan this event in October, because they only gave me fifteen days to recover before Mom has me over for “her” annual food expo that she calls “Thanksgiving.” This year however I will not be coming empty handed. I told Dad to get ready for some pre dinner snacking in front of the TV with Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, Tinitas Salsa and the best guacamole he has ever had.