#165 Industry Insights from Foodpreneurs Festival 2026

In the eighth and final episode of Season 17 of Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford podcast, I am joined by Helen Johnston, co-founder and creative director of Honey and Fox, and Henry Nevile from the Natural Foods Trading Company – two industry insiders who were on the ground at both the BiteBack Awards and Foodpreneurs Festival on 21 and 22 May. Both were there last year, too.

Together, the three of us unpack what actually happened. What stood out at Stickybeak Station, our product showcase. What Brand Story Studio revealed about where emerging brands are right now. And what Helen and Henry observed about the sophistication of this year’s attendees’ businesses.

More than 15 brands are named throughout the conversation – not as a roll call, but as real examples of what’s working, what’s standing out on shelf, and what the market is telling us right now to help you grow.

And after four years of bringing the event to life, and ten years working directly with emerging brands, I share what I’m seeing across the market and give you practical advice to help you grow your sales and brand faster.

If you were at the Foodpreneurs Festival, this is your recap. If you weren’t, prepare to take notes – this is your free advisory session.

Season 17 is brought to you by NFTC – The Natural Foods Trading Company. If you’re a growing food brand navigating that tricky middle phase—scaling up, landing your first major retailer, or figuring out procurement—NFTC is worth knowing about.

When you’re ready to take the next step, here are 6 ways I can support your journey:

  1. 1:1 Consulting for Brand Owners & Industry Specialists: Work directly with me and unlock the power of 30+ years of industry expertise to propel your business to new heights.
  2. Book Me as a Speaker: Captivate and empower your audience by booking me to speak at your next event. Input your email and I’ll send you my Speaker Kit.
  3. Join Foodpreneurs Festival: Australia’s unmissable event where food, drink, and pet food founders connect with influential industry leaders and hundreds of fellow brand owners.
  4. Listen to the Podcast for Food, Drink & Pet Food Brands Wanting to Grow: Discover game-changing strategies and insider insights from industry leaders on the Foodpreneur with Chelsea Ford Podcast.
  5. Partner With Me to Get More Leads: Learn about my multi-channel partnership program with long-term goals where value and ROI compound over time, collaboration and feedback is appreciated, and our relationship is strategic and deep.
  6. Ask Me Anything: Got a burning question about the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry? Get expert answers in my weekly industry expert email, social media, or podcast episode.

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