Navitas Naturals Brings Superfoods From Around the World to Fancy Food Show

When Zach Adelman started Navitas Naturals a decade ago, organic superfoods was a niche category that was mostly limited to the supplement aisle at small, independent health food stores. Since then, in large part due to Navitas’ pioneering work and the smoothie boom, superfoods are now their own category and shelf placement has grown rapidly at a wide variety of store types across North America. Now, Navitas is expanding their customer base further by exhibiting for the first time at the Fancy Food Show (June 30 to July 2 at Javits Center in NYC) where they’ll be celebrating the 10-year anniversary at Booth #5328. Navitas Naturals will introduce several unique organic superfoods at the show. The new organic Dragonfruit Slices, which are made from the sweeter red variety of the fruit, taste similar to pears, mangos and kiwifruits. The fruit is sustainably harvested in Thailand from night-blooming cactus plants and the fibrous sweet pulp in the center is sliced and sun-dried. The chewy purple slices with dark seeds are nutrient-dense, providing omega-3, antioxidants, protein, iron, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Navitas has also launched an organic Nori Powder. Made from raw premium (sushi) seaweed grown in the Sea of Japan, it is a high-fiber, low-calorie superfood that contains an abundance of protein, essential minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and lignans. Nori’s salty-sweet and complex flavor adds a boost to soups, salads, green smoothies and popcorn, company officials say. Although this is the first Summer Fancy Food Show for Navitas Naturals, it is not their first experience in the specialty food category. In October 2012, Navitas and San Francisco-based specialty food store Williams-Sonoma joined forces to create three organic superfood smoothie blends. The new Antioxidants, Omega 3 and Protein Smoothie Mixers are made with Navitas Naturals’ most nutrient-dense superfoods. Healthy snacking is a hot trend and Navitas has that covered, too. Their line of Navitas Power Snacks are sure to appeal to specialty food buyers, in particular those seeking premium grab-and-go functional food snacks, officials say. Blueberry-Hemp, Cacao-Goji and Citrus-Chia Power Snacks feature the most popular superfoods including chia, cacao, maca, goji berries, hemp, camu and maqui. With the new organic Coconut Water Powder from Navitas Naturals, consumers can create a healthy coconut beverage according to their own taste buds, recipe inspiration and hydration needs. Simply stir a Tbsp. of powder in a glass of water to create a hydrating sports drink, or add water and use the delicious liquid as you would coconut water in a smoothie, or any recipe. “The health and well-being of people and the planet is at the core of everything we do, and that’s why all our products are certified organic and non-GMO,” says CEO Zach Adelman. The San Francisco - area company has expanded their product line steadily and sustainably to include more than 30 superfoods with popular best sellers that include cacao (raw dark chocolate), goji berries, chia seeds, acai, hemp seeds and maca. Despite humble beginnings, Navitas Naturals superfoods are now sold at more than 5,000 stores in 30 countries. “Super people get the job done right – and we’ve built a strong team that has grown to more than 60 employees, and we’re hiring more,” says Adelman.