World Ethnic Market Attracts Major U.S. Buyers

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- More than 3,000 attendees from all over the country came to find out what's new in kosher, halal, and other ethnic foods at the first World Ethnic Market/KosherWorld trade show held in Anaheim, Calif. last month. The show was co-located with Natural Products Expo West.

Ethnic, specialty, and kosher food buyers from major supermarkets, club stores, and health food chains attended World Ethnic Market, along with industry professionals from foodservice, catering, restaurants, and more, the show's organizers said yesterday.

Among the group of core "power buyers" were representatives from Safeway, Ralphs, Amazon.com, Albertsons, Kehe Foods, Costco, Gelson's, Shaw's, HEB, Akins, and DPI. Buyers from Wild Oats, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Sysco, and the military foodservice were in also in attendance.

Tamara Dorrell, manager of national categories-ethnic at Safeway, was presented with the Buyer of the Year award, for taking great strides in bringing ethnic and kosher foods to market.

"The World Food Market has been successful for several years in Europe, but this is the first time the concept has been introduced in the United States," said Phyllis Koegel, show manager, in a statement.

Kosher World was acquired in 2005 by New Hope Natural Media, producer of Natural Products Expo West, among other shows. After the acquisition New Hope partnered with Antoine Bonell of World Food Market in France to form the first World Ethnic Market, featuring kosher, halal, and other ethnic foods under one roof.

Next year World Ethnic Market will take place March 8 to March 9, 2007 at the Anaheim Convention Center, co-located with Natural Products Expo West.
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