Family, Flavor, and the Future of Packaging: Reflections from the 2025 Fancy Food Show

If you’ve ever been to the Fancy Food Show, you know it’s more than just sampling delicious things—it's about walking through aisles filled with stories, specialty food items, and innovation all stitched together with a shared love for quality and craftsmanship. At this summer’s Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center in New York City, the River Pavilion—home to emerging brands and innovative product launches—buzzed with a sense of connection that felt almost familial.

Looking at the show through the eyes of a fourth generation packaging business the hall had a number of key elements which stood out including  brands that identified with deep roots and legacy-driven missions. From small-batch hummus recipes created by a father-son duo, to whole artichokes hand harvested and packed in oil by a family, this year’s show was steeped in heritage. And packaging wasn’t just the containers products were housed in—it was part of the companies’ narratives and self expression.

Top Trends We Noticed at the Show

1. Packaging Is a Powerful Tool for Telling Your Brand’s Story

One of the strongest trends on display showed a shift toward clean, minimalist messaging. Labels weren’t heavily verbaged ; they were direct and inviting. Whether it was Willy’s Cacao’s boldly packaged British chocolate or Milène Jardine’s refined and elegant bars, the designs were intentional and distinctive. Brands focused on telling their story visually—with clarity.

More importantly, many brands used their packaging to express their values—opting for compostable pouches, recyclable materials, and designs that proudly highlighted the product’s origin and the people behind it. For manufacturers and food brands, this is a reminder—packaging isn’t just about presentation anymore. It’s about product transparency and building trust with consumers.

2. Family Stories on the Label

Heritage was everywhere—from Jack’s Dad’s Hummus with its chickpea-miso base and a backstory as rich as its flavor, to Soul Sweetener Lemonade Mix which felt like it came straight from a grandma’s kitchen. These brands didn’t just serve products—they served family inspired stories.

For us at The Revere Group, this type of family-inspired business culture resonated immediately. Our packaging has long helped brands share their legacies—from start-ups with a founder’s story to decades old brands refreshing their identities with new designs. Packaging is a tool for storytelling, especially when done right.

3. Smart Beverage Branding on the Rise

On the beverage side, innovation was bubbling over—literally. Functional drinks, mood-boosting elixirs, and plant-based refreshers filled the aisles. Cactus water from Pricklee , non-alcoholic cocktails from Siponey, and fruit vinegar tonics showed that consumers aren’t just thirsty for refreshment—they’re thirsty for meaning, wellness, and differentiation.

Packaging played a critical role in standing out. Shrink sleeves for short-runs of newer products in cans, waterproof labels for refrigerated drinks, and vibrant bottle wraps helped each brand hold its own in a very crowded space. It’s a strong signal to beverage manufacturers and e-commerce sellers: innovative products need flexible packaging that keeps pace—with quality and quick turnarounds.

What These Trends Tell Us

Looking ahead, packaging will continue to evolve from being  a functional necessity to a strategic business asset. For food and beverage brands, especially in a crowded market, first impressions continue to count. Having eye appealing, story telling packaging can help establish rapport with potential clients as it is the bridge between legacy and market relevance.

The Revere Perspective: Packaging with Legacy

At The Revere Group, we’ve been serving clients for four generations. We understand that needs vary—some brands require trial runs, others need high-volume/multi-day productions. Whether it’s a bespoke hand-finished caramel box or a digitally printed cold brew label, we help businesses of every size scale smartly and sustainably.

Our takeaway from this year’s Fancy Food Show? Packaging isn’t just part of the product—it’s part of the brand story. And stories rooted in heritage, elevated by design, and told with clarity are the ones people remember.

Spot Anything New In Packaging? Let’s Compare Notes!

Did you attend the show and notice these similar trends? We’d love to hear what stood out to you—or help you think through how packaging can elevate your next product launch.

Reach out to us at [email protected] or explore our solutions at glerup.com. Let’s build something lasting—one package, one story, at a time.