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The basics:

• NJBAC hosted 28 NJ businesses at 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show
• Marked largest state pavilion to date
• Sold-out event included 30,000+ attendees
• Considered top destination for product discovery, trendspotting and networking

The New Jersey Business Action Center is celebrating another successful year at one of the gourmet food industry’s largest trade shows in North America.

As part of the Specialty Food Association’s 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show, NJBAC hosted a state pavilion featuring 28 local businesses to showcase the Garden State’s diverse culinary scene.

Held June 29 to July 1 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, the sold-out event brought together over 30,000 attendees and 2,000-plus exhibitors across dozens of food and beverage categories. Now in its 69th year, the event is considered one of the top destinations for product discovery, trendspotting and networking.

NJBAC and its Office of Export Promotion returned for a third consecutive year with the largest state pavilion. During the three-day show, small business owners were able to share more about their offerings with buyers, brokers and distributors.

According to NJBAC, each received support through the New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program (NJSTEP). Sponsored in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, NJSTEP empowers underserved businesses that are poised for growth via global export by providing them with crucial financial awards.

Entrepreneurs were also required to meet the criteria set forth by the SBA’s small business communities definition, which includes socially and economically disadvantaged and owned or controlled by women, rural and/or veterans and/or service-connected disabled veterans categories.

Welcome from Way

During a June 29 ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome guests to the New Jersey Pavilion, Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, who also serves as secretary of state, was on hand to deliver opening remarks and connect with each of the participating ventures.

The pavilion’s participants were:

• 3BR Distillery Keyport
• 50 Cut / Mush Foods Tenafly
• B’Cuz Snacks Lakewood
• Brooklyn Born Chocolate Rahway
• Chookie Livingston
• DEFI Snacks Chatham
• Dixie Grace Boiled Peanuts Jersey City
• Djerdan Burek South Hackensack
• Eden’s Sweets Nutley
• First Field Princeton
• Hank Sauce Sea Isle City
• Harmony Global / DORO Montclair
• Health Garden USA Paterson
• High Ground Morristown
• International Spice Lakewood
• Jessie’s Beverages Carteret
• Like Air Madison
• Mad Mutz Northfield
• New Age Drinks Hoboken
• Otto’s Naturals Flemington
• Savorx Middlesex
• Snack Innovations Piscataway
• Sohha Savory Lawrenceville
• Thumb Bread Hoboken
• Tony’s Pizza Manufacturers (TPM Pizza LLC) Mount Laurel
• Two River Gourmet Mushrooms Sea Bright
• Undercover Chocolate Co. Inc. East Hanover
• White Camel Hummus Carlstadt

‘An amazing experience’

Way said, “The participation of our 28 NJSTEP businesses at the Fancy Food Show exemplifies our unwavering commitment to promoting New Jersey’s export capabilities. I am so excited for folks to explore the exceptional products showcased by these businesses and join us in strengthening New Jersey’s position in the global market.”

Melanie Willoughby, executive director of the NJBAC, underscored the work conducted by the OEP in administering the NJSTEP awards, including preparing the businesses poised for growth with global exports for a trade show at the scale of the Summer Fancy Food Show.

“Thanks to the work of the OEP and NJSTEP program, this year’s recipients were able to widen their global network and connect with potential clients, including buyers, brokers and distributors from around the world,” she said.

Michael Burns, co-founder of flavored mozzarella sticks brand Mad Mutz, described the Summer Fancy Food Show as “an amazing experience.”

“We made incredible connections and it will, without a doubt, help propel our business. We are beyond impressed with the NJBAC team and what [the State of] New Jersey does to stand behind and support its business community,” said Burns. “We cannot say enough to express just how thankful we are for being given this opportunity.”

Mad Mutz’s participation at the pavilion came a few months after Burns and his partner Mike Hauke scored big on ABC’s “Shark Tank” by striking a deal with investor Lori Greiner.