Food Innovation Showcase & Pitch Event: From Idea to Shelf

Watch 8 emerging CPG brands pitch for retail exposure and $2,500 in prizes. Network with founders, retailers, and investors.

Date & Time

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 · 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM EDT

Registration Deadline

Monday, October 15th , 2026

Location

Middlesex College – Parkview Room
2600 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08818

Parking Information – Visitor Parking lot # 1

Ticket

General Admission — $20
Includes entry, product sampling, Food, and access to all programming.

Full Description

We are bringing together emerging CPG founders, retailers, manufacturers, investors, incubators, and industry experts for one evening focused on what it takes to move a food product from idea to shelf.

Sample products from eight rising food brands, hear directly from retail buyers about what makes a product shelf-ready, and watch founders pitch live for retail exposure, investment interest, and cash prizes.

What to expect

• CPG Showcase & Sampling — Taste products from participating brands and meet the founders behind them
• Fireside Chat: Retailer Reality Check — What actually makes a brand shelf-ready, straight from retail buyers
• Founder Demo Day — 8 emerging CPG brands each pitch for 5 minutes, followed by 4 minutes of Q&A from a panel of retail, investment, and industry judges
• Awards — $1,500 for Best Overall Emerging Brand, $500 for Most Shelf-Ready Brand, $500 for the Innovation Award

JUDGES INCLUDE:

• John Lawson – Senior Local Forager, Whole Foods
• Gus Sleiman – Owner, Easton Supermarket
• Jay Bhatti – Founder, 49 Alpha
• Additional leaders from the food, retail, and CPG ecosystem

POWERED BY OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Anresco NJ Labs

Provident Bank

South Amboy Kitchen

Printedge Solutions

Specialty Food Association

TIE New Jersey

Who should attend

Emerging food and CPG founders, retail buyers, investors, manufacturers, incubator partners, and anyone curious about New Jersey's growing food innovation ecosystem.

Agenda

4:30 – 5:00 PM — Check-in
5:00 – 6:00 PM — CPG Showcase, Sampling & Networking
6:00 – 6:35 PM — Welcome, Founder Spotlight & Fireside Chat
6:35 – 7:55 PM — Founder Demo Day
7:55 – 8:30 PM — Judges' Deliberation, Awards & Closing Remarks

Hosted by South Amboy Kitchen and the Middlesex County Office of Business Engagement