A record 370 exhibitors – from the biggest to the newest names in food-to-go, are preparing to showcase 1000s of innovations at lunch! 2018, when it returns to London ExCeL on 20-21 September.
The premier trade event for the sector, lunch! has been serving the nation’s food-to-go operators and retailers for over a decade. Having sold out of all available space three months in advance, its 6,300+ attendees will be able to see and sample more new food and drink products, packaging, equipment and catering technology than ever before.
“The support from the industry as always has been phenomenal,” said group event director, Chris Brazier. “Not only have we sold 10% more stand space this year – providing even more quality, innovation and differentiation to our visitors – but demand has been such that there’s already a waiting list for companies interested in exhibiting in 2019.
“It really does demonstrate just how important lunch! has become to suppliers looking to do business with coffee shops, cafes, food-to-go multiples, supermarkets, contract caterers, wholesalers and distributors. While for food-to-go buyers, lunch! has proved itself year after year to be an essential visit to see what’s new and compare the latest products from leading and emerging brands.
“lunch! 2018 is not just our biggest event. It also boasts our most eclectic line-up yet. Every new product innovation that food-to-go buyers need to know about – from ingredients to kitchen equipment and counter displays, from food and drink to packaging, payment solutions and business services – will be on show this September.'
Hannah McKay, head of food & beverage at Caffè Nero, said, “lunch! is a key date in the diary for the food-to-go and the coffee shop sector. It is great to see so much innovation from such passionate people under one roof.”
Exhibitor list goes live
The full exhibitor list – featuring the 370 companies that will be helping to shape the future of the food-to-go sector over the next twelve months – is now available online at www.lunchshow.co.uk/visiting/2018-exhibitor-list.
Eat Natural, Wholegood Supply, The berry company, Schur Star Systems, Sabert Europe, Kepak, Impress Sandwiches, HIPPEAS, Bord Bia, Raynor Foods, Natural Balance Foods, Magrini, Around Noon, The Alan Nuttall Partnership, UFit Drinks, NutriPot, Go2Grocery, Pip & Nut, RAP, Europastry, Menter a Busnes, Country Choice, Norseland, Karma Cola, Breckland Orchard, Tea Pigs, Doughlicious, Spare Fruit, POPS: Premium Popsicles, Bounce Energy Balls, Spikomat, Propercorn, Tom Chandley Ovens, Colour Heroes, Roller Grill UK, Welbilt UK, and Brands Unlimited are just some of the returning exhibitors listed.
First time exhibitors – there are 144 to choose from this year– include Panasonic UK, Mother, LBP Bakeries, Brazilian coconut water brand Obrigado, Yoyo Wallet, Simply Lunch, Remedy Kombuch, Fresh Marketing, Döhler, Curators of Flavour (100% natural British beef jerky), Rushdi Food Enterprises (Mighty Sesame Co), Bravura Foods, Creeds Direct, Daelmans Group, Honesty Group, Upbeat Drinks, No1 Rosemary Water, Pots & Co, Popcorn Shed, BEPPS Snacks, Huel, Luv Sum, Infinity Foods, Jude’s Ice Cream, Avery Dennison, Pactiv (the world's largest foodservice packaging company), and Fine Cheese Company / Artisan Biscuits.
While over in the Start-up Zone, 28 emerging brands will be introducing their launch innovations to the market. Among them are: Boundless (activated nuts and seeds), Green Sisters (vegan samosas), The Healthy Protein Co (vieve protein water), Modern Contradiction (Something & Nothing – low calorie, lightly carbonated seltzer), Push Chocolate (high protein, dairy free chocolate), Roqberry (tea blends and infusions), and Wallaroo Foods (children’s fruit snacks).
Buyers looking to refresh their coffee menus will also find plenty of choice for 2018. From specialist Cold Brew companies – Sandows, Farside Coffee, Cool Cold Brew, Fitch Brew, Point Blank, Califia Farms, and Land & Tide, to big name artisan roasters and equipment suppliers, such as UCC Coffee UK & Ireland, Rombouts Coffee, Douwe Egberts, Union Hand-Roasted Coffee, CoffeeBAY, Modern Standard Coffee, Tudor Tea & Coffee, Beanies Flavour Coffee, Single Source, Wessenan UK, My Coffee Station and Melitta UK.
For eco-friendly coffee cups, check out Pockito, Ecoffeecup, Huskup, Benders Paper Cups, ButterflyCup, and Biopac UK.
Guy Meakin, head of buying at Pret A Manger, said, “lunch! is the only show dedicated to the best sector in food and moving to ExCeL makes it even better. Don’t miss it!.”
Sandy Anderson, senior buyer at Elior, said, “ExCeL it is the perfect space for this on trend, innovative and brilliant event. lunch! is definitely not one to miss.'
“lunch! is definitely the essential trade show if you’re in food-to-go,” said Patrick Crease, product development manager – food to go at Sainsbury's Supermarkets.