Expo West 2026 Recap: Best New Snacks, Worst Taste Tests, and CPG Trends | GroDega Ep. 42

Welcome to Grovara – The Leading Global B2B Wholesale Marketplace!Back from Expo West 2026, Peter and Vic break down what made this the best Expo yet, from nonstop meetings and packed halls to the real cost of exhibiting, why booth placement matters, and how brands like Kate’s Real Food grow from kitchen idea to national trade show contender. They also talk through Grovara’s growing international presence, the Commerce Department relationship, and how the B3B Blaster game was received on the floor.Then it turns into an honest, unfiltered Expo West taste test episode. They try everything from vegan chicken, boba drinks, veggie puffs, seaweed snacks, pickles, protein bars, kombucha, gummies, marshmallows, Dubai chocolate, and more. Some products are clear winners, some are rough, and a few get absolutely roasted.The episode also highlights the biggest CPG trends from Expo West 2026, including the explosion of protein, creatine, fiber, better for you snacks, functional beverages, and the continued rise of natural products that still have to deliver on taste.If you want the real Expo West experience, what brands are doing right, what fails on the floor, and what trends are actually breaking through, this is the episode.Chapters:00:00 Clear protein powder cold open and post-Expo recap begins00:38 Why this was Peter’s best Expo West yet01:36 How brands like Kate’s Real Food get to Expo West04:01 Vegan chicken taste test and the real cost of booth space07:55 3,000 beverage launches a year, only 1% hit $10M09:42 SPINS party, Tatsu Tea, and the dream of a Grovara booth next year13:05 Expo sample dump: best and worst snacks, drinks, and booth finds47:12 Biggest Expo West 2026 trends: protein, creatine, and fiber55:14 Powder challenge, John joins in, and sour gummies close the episodeGrovara is revolutionizing the way better-for-you (BFY) brands, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPGs), and international buyers connect, transact, and scale. Our AI-powered platform streamlines global trade, making it easier than ever to expand into new markets.For Brands: Expand internationally with seamless logistics, compliance, and marketing support.For Buyers: Discover & source premium health, wellness, and organic products from trusted suppliers.For Service Providers: Partner with us to power global commerce with technology-driven solutions.What We Offer:Cross-border wholesale made easySaaS-driven marketplace with powerful data insightsSimplified compliance & global fulfillmentDigital payments & trade automationJoin the Future of B2B Commerce!Sign up today: www.grovara.comContact us: [email protected] Us on Social Media:Website: https://www.grovara.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grovaraLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grovaraFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/grovaraTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/grovaraYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@grovaraincSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2kaW2tvRgxa4WlINuaaMgE?si=2036f25c8eb54468Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4eYAkirSubscribe & Stay Updated!We post expert insights, success stories, and industry trends to help brands and buyers scale globally.#ExpoWest#CPGTrends#GroDegaPodcast