Last week’s Nordic Organic Food Fair and Eco Living Scandinavia co-hosted show in Malmö was one of the busiest and most successful in the event’s 10-year history, organiser Diversified reports.
Event director, Melina Viking, comments: “This year’s event has reflected the true resilience of the organic and sustainable sectors. With the cost of living going up, the importance of creating a sustainable future for coming generations is stronger than ever before. Organic food and sustainable circular communities are central to this, and our exhibitors and visitors have proven to us yet again that this is the future of business!”
She continues “Reaching ambitious targets to become carbon neutral, produce more organic food and becoming healthier nations should be everyone’s top priority. The Nordic Organic Food Fair and Eco Living Scandinavia are the essential trade events to help the industry reach these targets. See you next year!”
Poland was named Nordic Organic Food Fair’s ‘Country of the Year’ for its commitment to organic practices. And so, the opening of the show was celebrated with a special ribbon cutting with Polish Ambassador to Sweden, Joanna Hofman and Managing Director of Diversified Communication, Carsten Holm.
The show’s comprehensive seminar programme hosted some of the biggest names in the industry – including talks from Organic Denmark, IFOAM Organics Europe, Organic Sweden, Ecovia Intelligence, KRAV, Svensk Egenvård, KOSMETIK magazine, NATRUE and more. The first ever ‘EgenVårdDistribution: LIVE Pitch to the Buyer’ showcased a selection of exhibitors who were hoping to secure a listing with the leading health retailer, EgenVårdDistribution.
Presenting their products to the EVD buying team live in front of an audience, Blooming Blends (herbal tinctures), Hello Day Ltd (supplements), Les Miraculeux (gummies), SIA KALE LATVIA (kale chips), and The Good Roll (bamboo toilet roll) all secured further talks with the distributor as the buying team were ‘so impressed’ with all the exhibitor pitches.
The Innovation Awards celebrated the best new products at the show. Voted by visitors across 16 categories – the shortlisted products for the Innovation Awards were judged by industry experts Mikael Nordlund (WellAware), Diana MalcangI (NATRUE), Cressida Langlands (Free From Food Awards) and Pim Bendt (Naturskyddsföreningen).
Vit2Go (Mad Ventura S.L), Rawnice, Qleantab, Forty Herbs Organic Sparkling Tea, Camelina of Sweden, Casheury AB, Stockeld Dreamery, The Friendly Fat Company, Veg of Lund, Wrappy, Nbb Nordic Beauty Bar AB, Zoya Goes Pretty, Apeiron, and Spa Vivent Vertriebs-GmbH – all took home awards.
‘Best New Innovation Product’ (sponsored by Butikstrender) went to Nothing F!SHY AB for their Breaded vegan F!SH Filé.
The Natural Beauty show also celebrated the top ten personalities of Who’s Who in Green Beauty Scandinavia. This meaningful initiative, run in partnership with NOC Sweden, recognises the industry’s most talented individuals – from independent retailers and brand owners to product developers, journalists and influencers.
Nominated by the industry and voted by Emma Bergqvist (President, NOC Sweden), Nina H. Kluge (Editor in Chief, Fagbladet KOSMETIK), Kristine Rodland (Owner and Editor, Kosmetikk) and Rosie Greenaway (Editor, Natural Products News and Natural Beauty News), the top 10 personalities were:
- Carina Swartz, CEO, Rosenserien & Deputy Chairman of the NOC Sweden Board
- Agneta Elmegård, Beauty Editor, Aftonbladet
- Hannah Sjöström, Author & Journalist, Naturligt Snygg
- Johanna Bjurström, Founder & CEO, Holistic Health Academy
- Maria Åkerberg, Owner, Maria Åkerberg
- Tine Ejlersen Liebeck, Founder & Owner, GreenEtiq Denmark
- Susanne Hovenäs, Journalist -Tidningen Hälsa, Project Manager – NOC Sweden
- Anne Morenius, Managing Director, Scandinavian Spa Academy
- Fumie Nyfeler Sato, Nordic Beauty Journalist in Japan
- Carolina Cia Bruun, Founder and CEO, Green Goddess
Eco Living Scandinavia and the Nordic Organic Food Fair will return to MalmöMässan, Malmö, Sweden, on Wednesday and Thursday 15-16 November 2023. For more information, visit www.nordicorganicexpo.com.
Main image: Polish Ambassador to Sweden, Joanna Hofman and Managing Director of Diversified Communication, Carsten Holm