Humboldt Made Takes on Expo West

The largest natural foods show on the west coast, Expo West takes place annually in Anaheim, California. In 2018, over 85,000 industry professionals attended the conference, including over 3,500 companies. This year, fourteen members of Humboldt Made are in attendance as they look to create business connections for the future.

Events such as Expo West provide a unique opportunity for Humboldt County business’ to create beneficial business relationships with industry leaders from outside our area. Humboldt Made members Raised Gluten Free, Laceys, Jessicurl, Love Life CBD, Alexandre Farms, Eel River Organic Beef, Lost Coast Roast, Papa & Barkley, Ohana Organics, Diane's Sweet Heat, Cacao Cocoon, Dick Taylor, Blue Heron Botanicals, and Humboldt Hot Sauce are all in attendance. This all-star group all headed down to Anaheim together, collaborating on an awesome booth that highlights each company’s unique products.

From food to cannabis to body care, this diverse group does Humboldt proud by showing off the quality that comes from behind the redwood curtain. Our members are making incredible business partnerships here that help grow their brands and help gain exposure for business from the Lost Coast in general. Raised Gluten Free has been attending Expo West for six years. Here is co-founder Rosa Dixon telling us just how influential this event has been for her business.

“We attended Expo West for the first time six years ago when Headwaters gave Humboldt Made a grant to allow small businesses like us a chance to participate in the biggest Natural Food Expo in the country. Since then we have had a booth every year, and have grown10x in revenue, and tripled our full-time employees. I attribute 50% of our annual growth year after year to Expo West!“

“Expo West has been an incredible experience for our brand, Raised Gluten Free and has allowed us to have the opportunity to meet with buyers we would not have had the chance to otherwise.” —Rosa Dixon

Humboldt Made’s mission is to grow the Redwood Coast economy through supporting homegrown businesses and providing development activities that assist businesses in creating jobs. We are proud to help bring these craft makers of all kinds together and to bring their incredible talents to others through collaborative events such as these. Check out our Instagram and Facebook to see more images from the week!