Maui Food Tech Center Holding Second Annual Supply and Service Expo Feb. 18

By Maui Now Staff

The Maui Food Technology Center will host its Second Annual Supply and Service Expo, a trade show event dedicated to businesses in the food industry. The event will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, at the Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

The expo will include state and county business development services, food equipment suppliers, food ingredient manufacturers and distributors, labels and packaging suppliers/designers, dealers and traders, social media professionals and branding experts.

Specialized presentations by industry experts will be offered throughout the day by speakers, including: David De Candia, director of Tea for Coffee Bean/Tea Leaf, on “Tea Trends” at 10:30 a.m.; Neil Ertmer, president of Bay Area Packaging, on “Food and Produce Packaging and Food Inspection” at 11:15 a.m.; Neal Arakaki, Hawai‘i Pavilion project manager from Jaxie Corp., on “Food Manufacturing Exhibitors at Tokyo International Gift Show” at noon; Ken Dozier, executive director of Western Research Application Center, on “Grants for Manufacturing, Services and Agricultural Firms” at 12:45 p.m.; and Christina Gilbert, purchasing director of Mana Foods, on “Buying Local” at 1:30 p.m.

“This is the perfect event for new or existing food producers wanting assistance with the many challenges of developing a product and getting it into the marketplace,” said Luana Mahi, MFTC president. “There’ll also be helpful information for entrepreneurs looking to expand their network opportunities and resources.”

Attendees who register in advance will be entered to win a $200 Hawaiian Airlines gift card and a $50 gift card for renting a car with Enterprise Holdings. The first 200 guests will receive a free tote bag.

For information on becoming an exhibitor and/or attending the event, visit www.MauiFoodTechnology.org or call (888) 948-6382.

Sponsors of the trade show include the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, MauiNOW, Pacific Media Group, The Maui News, Netcom Enterprises, Flavor Waves, Innovate Hawai‘i, A&B Kokua Giving and Maui Printing Company.

The MFTC is a nonprofit organization established in 2004 supporting the growth of Hawai‘i’s food industry. The center provides outreach and business services to assist local entrepreneurs find success in the agriculture and food industries.