Brooklyn's Progress
July 2004

Brooklyn Goes Global (BGG) and Brooklyn Chamber Members Carmine Falcone of Falcone's Cookieland, Erica Kalick of Erica’s Rugelach, Inna Solomone and Alexis Bronstorph of Tower Isle’s Frozen Foods, Moishe Freund of King Of The Sea, Andres Hoyos of Pearl’s Gourmet and Lisa Fortunato of robbie dawg, go global as they were front and center in the Brooklyn Chamber's BGG booth during the 50th Summer NASFT Fancy Food & Confectioner Show.  The Chamber booth was part of the New York State Pavilion during the show held June 27 to 29 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.

The Fancy Food Show, sponsored by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. (NASFT), is the leading show of its kind, presenting over 50,000 specialty food products to over 32,000 attendees and providing for an international showcase and marketplace for buyers and sellers. Of special note during the 2004 show was the extended hours, which gave attendees and trade show exhibitors two extra hours per day to meet, greet and sample.  The show provides a great opportunity to release new products, and proved to be a perfect debut for Brooklyn Member, Falcone’s Cookieland, as they rolled out their new line of flatbreads.

Now in its third year, Brooklyn Chamber Members joined forces under the umbrella of Brooklyn Goes Global, which provides a fantastic back-drop to showcase Brooklyn’s finest and best tasting products.  The program, as in previous years, was a smashing hit with buyers, trade show media and other trade show attendees who traveled from territories including the Caribbean, Asia and Europe to see, touch, taste and feel both new and existing products which will end up on store shelves this coming holiday season and throughout the year.

This year's show organizers boasted that an overwhelming number of small and medium sized companies participated in the Fancy Food Show.  The Brooklyn Chamber is proud to have facilitated Brooklyn’s representation in these numbers.  The aroma of the varied Brooklyn products which permeated the halls included, beef patties from Tower Isle’s Frozen Foods, delectable rugelach and other baked goods from Erica’s Rugelach, tuna and salmon products from King of the Sea, gourmet fish and other delicacies from Pearl’s Gourmet and for those two legged attendees who love their four legged friends, robbie dawg’s fabulous gourmet dog biscuits were on display. 

The Brooklyn Goes Global booth attracted worldwide visitors as well including Patricia Mosquera of the World Trade Center in Miami, Fla.  As Ms. Mosquera took in the Brooklyn treats she invited BGG to participate in the Caribbean World Trade Show which will be held in Florida later this year.  Other visitors to the booth included, Abigail Cadle Trade Specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Peter Constantine International Trade Specialist for the New York State Department of Economic Development and James Wong, Bank of America.  Mr. Constantine complimented the Chamber and its Members for their impressive presentation this year.  Brooklyn Chamber Member Henna Coffee and Victoria Packaging also exhibited at the show.

According to Inna Solomone, who has exhibited in the Fancy Food Show for three years, “I am extremely delighted with this years show.”

Lisa Fortunato says, “I am thrilled to be a part of the BGG booth and now as a new Member, look forward to future opportunities.”

Brooklyn food manufacturers are on the move.  Contact Steve Kaplansky at (718) 875-1000 ext. 104 to get involved.  Bon Appetit!