Last week at the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade's annual Fancy Food Show, more than 2,300 specialty-food makers converged on the Javits Center, all looking to take a bite out of the specialty food market.
Among the sellers of sauces, salsas, candies and sausages, were 62 small businesses marketing snack foods and about 20 selling chips - mostly of the potato variety, but some included pita and polenta chips as well.
Their goal: try to break into the $22 billion U.S. salty snack market with a product compelling enough to grab the attention of consumers, whose choices are dominated by behemoths such as Wise Foods and Frito-Lay.
One of the entrants was Sarah Cohen, a former documentary filmmaker who is now president of Route 11 Chips, based in Middletown, Va.
Chips of the New Block
Like to receive news like this by email? Join and Subscribe!
Get the latest potato industry news straight to your WhatsApp. Join the PotatoPro WhatsApp Community!
Highlighted Company
Related News
October 05, 2026
Covered Bridge Potato Chips Expands in Japan With 12-Container Costco Japan Order
Covered Bridge is expanding in Japan after Costco Japan ordered 12 containers of its potato chips, with eight shipped by late September 2026, following an agreement that made Japan its tenth international market.
October 04, 2026
Uglies Sweet Potato Chips Win Two Major Industry Awards in 2026
Uglies® Sweet Potato Chips won two 2026 industry awards. Its Hot Honey flavor received a Best New Product Award, while its Original, Hot Honey and Spicy BBQ varieties earned Double Gold for taste and packaging.
September 28, 2026
Colombia: PepsiCo to invest USD 1 billion and could strengthen its potato supply chain
PepsiCo will invest USD 1 billion in Colombia over five years to expand production and distribution, an investment that could strengthen its potato supply chain, where it is already the country’s largest industrial buyer at around 84,000 tonnes per year.
