Fresno Food Expo anticipating thousands to come to convention center

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno Food Expo is underway and organizers are anticipating thousands of people to pack the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center. Central California businesses are preparing for the Thursday crowds and it's a significant moment for some young companies.

"This year we decided we've got our co-packer in place, we're representing to groceries stores now, we're selling at the Vineyard Market at Blackstone and Shaw. So, now is our time to launch," said Betsy Tunnell, Evono LLC Founder.

Companies like Evono LLC are still developing-- their olive spread isn't available in stores yet. So the goal this week is to connect with buyers and get customers to ask for more.

Other businesses, though, are expo veterans.

"Generations of people have grown up on our product. People come in and tell me stories about coming in with their grandparents and parents-- and then they bring their children in," said Agnes Saghatelian, Valley Lahvosh Baking Co. Owner.

This year, Valley Lahvosh Baking Company is pushing a brand new product to buyers ahead of Christmas.

"First you have to invest in a cutter, then you have to do all the artwork, and then the design and the packaging, and so, it's a really really long process just to get it to this point, but it's been worth it and a lot of fun," said Saghatelian.

Most of the Fresno Food Expo is about business to business relationships, but the public is welcome on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to try all of the food that's on display. That's where products like hummus sold by Califresh of California come into play. It's already available in stores, but Califresh is debuting new packaging for the tasty spread.

"We use this bag to sample and people are always asking if we have it in that bag. And right now we don't, so we're rolling it out this year," said Sarah Dean, Califresh of California LLC Controller.

If you want to learn more about these Central Cornia Companies and more than 100 others tickets are still available to the public for $50 each.