California’s Harvest Hub: Your Essential Guide to the Food Processing Expo, Sacramento, USA!

Sacramento – the sun-drenched capital of California, a city celebrated for its rich agricultural heritage, burgeoning culinary scene, and its pivotal role as the heart of the nation’s food production. It’s here, in this vibrant West Coast hub, that the diverse and dynamic world of food processing converges for its most influential annual event: the Food Processing Expo. This isn’t merely a trade exhibition; it’s a vital annual gathering, a strategic forum meticulously designed to drive efficiency, enhance safety, and showcase the cutting-edge equipment, technologies, and solutions that are revolutionizing how California’s bounty, and indeed the nation’s food, is processed, packaged, and brought to tables worldwide. Imagine stepping onto an immense show floor, buzzing with the hum of advanced machinery, the aroma of innovative food products, and the energy of thousands of industry leaders, discerning buyers, and pioneering engineers. You’re surrounded by everything from state-of-the-art fruit and vegetable processing lines and sustainable water management systems to sophisticated quality control technologies and the latest in food safety protocols. This is your unparalleled opportunity to discover groundbreaking innovations, explore transformative production techniques, analyze the freshest industry trends, and forge invaluable connections that will optimize your operations, boost your output, and delight your consumers. For fruit and vegetable processors, dairy producers, nut processors, beverage manufacturers, specialty food producers, equipment suppliers, and anyone committed to advancing California’s leading food-producing industry, the Food Processing Expo is not just an option—it’s an essential annual pilgrimage for staying ahead of the curve, finding profound inspiration, and cultivating unparalleled growth in today’s fiercely competitive and ever-evolving market.

California stands as the nation’s largest food processing market, a powerhouse of agricultural output and food innovation. From the vast orchards and vineyards of the Central Valley to the dairy farms and specialty food producers, the state is a critical contributor to the global food supply chain. The Food Processing Expo, organized by the California League of Food Producers (CLFP), reflects this immense importance. The industry faces constant challenges, from adapting to climate change and water scarcity to meeting evolving consumer demands for healthier, more sustainable, and ethically produced foods. Simultaneously, processors are embracing new technologies like automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced data analytics to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure stringent food safety. The Food Processing Expo acts as the critical bridge, connecting suppliers of these vital solutions with the processors who need them. It’s where small, artisanal producers find scalable technologies, large industrial plants discover ways to optimize their existing lines, and innovative solutions for resource management and product development are unveiled. If you’re looking to upgrade your processing lines, source new ingredients or packaging, implement cutting-edge automation, understand evolving consumer demands, or simply immerse yourself in the passionate and forward-thinking community of California’s food processing professionals, attending the Food Processing Expo offers an unmatched opportunity to learn, discover, and propel your business to new heights.

The Heart of California’s Harvest: Venue and Time

The Food Processing Expo consistently selects a modern and accessible convention facility in Sacramento, ensuring a truly impactful and efficient experience for all attendees.

Sacramento’s Modern Hub: The SAFE Credit Union Convention Center The Food Processing Expo is consistently held at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center (formerly the Sacramento Convention Center) in Sacramento, California, USA. The official address for the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center is 1400 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. This recently renovated and expanded facility boasts ample exhibition space, numerous meeting rooms, and state-of-the-art amenities. Its location in downtown Sacramento provides excellent accessibility from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and is well-served by public transportation. The convention center’s proximity to downtown hotels, restaurants, and attractions makes it a convenient and vibrant hub for the Expo. The modern infrastructure and central location of the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center make it an ideal venue for an event of the Food Processing Expo’s significance to California’s vital food industry.

An Annual Immersion in Innovation: The Schedule The Food Processing Expo is an annual event, consistently taking place in February of each year. This annual cadence allows for continuous engagement with the latest industry advancements and provides a timely opportunity for food processors to plan their investments and strategies for the upcoming year, capitalizing on the innovations showcased.

For 2026, the Food Processing Expo is scheduled to run on Wednesday, February 4, & Thursday, February 5, 2026.

The event typically spans two intensive days, packed with a carefully curated schedule to maximize education, discovery, and networking opportunities:

• Expo Hall Hours: The bustling exhibition floor is open during standard daytime hours across both days, providing ample time to explore hundreds of booths.
• Educational Opportunities: The Expo is known for its strong educational component, offering topical seminars and workshops. These often include:
  • Pre-Expo Workshop: A dedicated, in-depth workshop held before the main expo opens (e.g., the popular Tomato Processing School in past years), providing specialized knowledge.
  • Educational Seminars on the Trade Show Floor: Concise and informative sessions held directly within the exhibition hall, covering a wide array of critical topics relevant to the food processing industry. These can range from food safety and regulatory compliance to automation, water management, and ingredient trends.
• Tasting Pavilion: A unique and highly anticipated feature, offering attendees the opportunity to taste a variety of food products produced by CLFP member processors, as well as products from universities like UC Davis, Cal Poly, Chico State, and Fresno State. This is a fantastic way to experience the end product of innovative processing.
• Networking Opportunities: Beyond the formal sessions, the Expo is designed to facilitate active networking.
  • CLFP Supplier Host Council Reception and Silent Auction: An evening event open to all attendees and exhibitors, providing a relaxed and fun-filled atmosphere for connecting with peers and supporting the CLFP Scholarship Fund.
  • Numerous informal opportunities to meet and re-establish connections with existing vendors, make new contacts, and engage in valuable discussions with industry experts.
• New Product Showcases: Exhibitors often unveil their latest machinery, equipment, supplies, and services, allowing attendees to discover cutting-edge solutions.

This focused and comprehensive schedule ensures that every attendee, from a seasoned food processor to an aspiring food product developer, finds immense value in terms of cutting-edge content, groundbreaking product discovery, and crucial connections to propel their food production business forward.

From Field to Finish: Key Product and Service Categories

The Food Processing Expo is tailored specifically to the needs of California’s diverse food-producing industry, focusing on processors of fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy products, beverages, and specialty products. The show floor is designed to highlight solutions across the entire processing value chain:

• Processing Machinery & Equipment:
  • Fruit & Vegetable Processing: Washing, sorting, peeling, slicing, dicing, blanching, cooking, chilling, freezing, pureeing, juicing equipment.
  • Dairy Processing: Pasteurizers, homogenizers, separators, fermenters, filling machines for milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream.
  • Nut Processing: Roasters, hullers, blanchers, sorters, shellers, grinding equipment for various nuts.
  • Beverage Production: Mixing, blending, filtration, carbonation, filling, and sealing equipment for juices, wines, craft beverages, and non-alcoholic drinks.
  • Specialty Food Production: Equipment for unique product formulations, artisanal batch processing, and new product development lines.
  • Cooking & Thermal Processing: Industrial ovens, fryers, steamers, retort systems for sterilization.
  • Material Handling: Conveyors, pumps, hoppers, silos, sorting systems specific to food products.
• Packaging Equipment & Materials: Crucial for preserving freshness, ensuring safety, and enhancing market appeal.
  • Primary Packaging: Filling, sealing, capping, bagging, pouching, tray sealing equipment for direct product contact.
  • Secondary & Tertiary Packaging: Cartoning, case packing, wrapping, palletizing equipment for shipping and display.
  • Labeling & Coding: Label applicators, printers for batch codes, expiry dates, and traceability.
  • Packaging Materials: Films, rigid containers, flexible pouches, cartons, and a strong emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly options (recyclable, compostable, biodegradable).
• Food Safety & Quality Assurance: Essential for compliance and consumer trust.
  • Sanitation systems, industrial cleaning equipment, washdown solutions.
  • Inspection technologies (metal detection, X-ray, vision systems).
  • Laboratory testing equipment and services.
  • Traceability software and systems.
  • Pest control solutions for food processing environments.
  • Consulting for HACCP, FSMA, and other regulatory compliance.
• Ingredients & Additives:
  • Bulk ingredients for various food categories.
  • Specialty ingredients, flavors, colors, preservatives, and functional additives.
  • Organic, natural, and clean label ingredient solutions.
• Automation, Control Systems & Software: Driving efficiency and data-driven operations.
  • PLCs, SCADA systems, HMI interfaces.
  • Robotics for handling, packing, and processing.
  • Sensors and IoT solutions for real-time monitoring.
  • Software for inventory management, production planning, and quality control.
• Support Services & General Plant Operations:
  • Facility design and engineering services.
  • Water and wastewater treatment solutions.
  • Energy efficiency and sustainability consulting.
  • Logistics and supply chain management.
  • Workforce training and development.

This incredibly diverse and specialized range ensures that any professional looking to operate, supply, or innovate within California’s dynamic food processing sector can find the products, technologies, and services necessary to enhance their operations, boost profitability, and meet the unique demands of the state’s and global food markets.

The Pulse of California’s Food Industry: Visitor and Exhibitor Count

The Food Processing Expo consistently attracts a focused and highly engaged audience, reflecting its importance to California’s dominant food processing industry.

• Visitor Count: The Food Processing Expo typically draws a substantial number of qualified attendees. While exact numbers can fluctuate annually, the Expo historically attracts over 2,500 attendees each year. This includes a wide variety of professionals from across the food processing ecosystem, such as:
  • CLFP food processor members and board members.
  • Non-member food processors (from small startups to large corporations).
  • Individuals with ideas for new food products.
  • University personnel and students from food science and agriculture programs.
  • Food processing industry vendors, suppliers, and service providers.
  • Government officials and regulatory bodies. Attendees come from various segments, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy, beverages, and specialty products, all seeking to connect, learn, and discover solutions. The strong presence of California-based processors, who represent the largest food processing market in the nation, underscores the Expo’s critical regional importance.
• Exhibitor Count: The Expo floor features a robust lineup of companies showcasing their innovations. The Food Processing Expo typically hosts over 270 exhibitors. These exhibitors represent a broad spectrum of the industry, offering machinery, equipment, supplies, services, and other innovative products. Exhibitors primarily include:
  • Manufacturers of processing and packaging equipment.
  • Providers of food safety and quality control systems.
  • Suppliers of ingredients and additives.
  • Automation and robotics companies.
  • Environmental solutions providers (water, waste).
  • Logistics and supply chain specialists.
  • Consulting and engineering firms. The Expo provides an ideal platform for exhibitors to influence the buying power of food processor representatives, expand their client base, and unveil new technologies to a targeted audience.

The concentrated attendance of key decision-makers and buyers, combined with the comprehensive range of exhibitors, makes the Food Processing Expo an incredibly efficient and productive environment for business development, market intelligence, and forging valuable connections within California’s leading food production landscape.

Cultivating Success: Benefits and Perks of Attending

Attending the Food Processing Expo is not just about visiting a trade show; it’s a strategic investment that offers profound benefits for any professional engaged in the food processing industry, particularly within California’s unique market.

• Direct Access to California’s Largest Market: California boasts the nation’s largest and most diverse food processing market. The Expo offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect directly with decision-makers from processors of fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy, beverages, and specialty products right in their home state.
• Discover Innovative Solutions Tailored to Your Needs: Explore hundreds of exhibits featuring the latest machinery, equipment, supplies, and services. You’ll find everything from advanced sorting systems for produce to sustainable packaging materials for specialty foods, all designed to meet the specific challenges and opportunities of the industry.
• Invaluable Educational Insights: Benefit from a robust educational program that includes a pre-Expo workshop (like the popular Tomato Processing School) and numerous topical seminars held directly on the trade show floor. Learn about critical issues such as food safety compliance, water management, energy efficiency, automation trends, and the evolving regulatory landscape.
• Strategic Networking with Industry Peers: Connect with thousands of your counterparts, including CLFP members, non-member processors, university experts, and government officials. These interactions foster collaboration, allow for sharing best practices, and can lead to new partnerships and business opportunities.
• Taste Innovation Firsthand: The unique “Tasting Pavilion” offers a delicious opportunity to sample a wide variety of food products produced by CLFP member processors and leading university programs. This direct experience allows you to see the tangible results of advanced processing and product development.
• Stay Ahead of Regulatory Changes: Given California’s proactive stance on environmental and labor regulations, the Expo provides crucial updates and solutions for navigating the latest compliance requirements, helping your business remain competitive and avoid penalties.
• Access to Experts & Problem Solvers: Engage directly with exhibitors and presenters who are experts in their fields. Discuss your specific operational challenges and discover customized solutions that can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality.
• Support for a Vital Industry: By attending, you support the California League of Food Producers (CLFP), an organization that has advocated for California’s food-producing industry since 1905, ensuring a favorable and profitable business environment for its members.
• A “Must-Attend” for Regional Success: For anyone whose business intersects with California’s food processing sector, the Expo serves as an annual benchmark and a vital platform for growth, learning, and staying connected within this powerhouse market.

Your Sacramento Sanctuary: Nearby Hotels and Convenient Accommodation

Sacramento offers a variety of hotel options, particularly in the downtown area, providing convenient access to the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center and the Food Processing Expo.

• Hotels within Walking Distance of the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center: These options offer the most convenient access, allowing attendees to easily walk to the Expo.
  • Hyatt Regency Sacramento: Often a prime choice, located directly across from the State Capitol and within easy walking distance of the convention center.
  • The Sawyer, A Kimpton Hotel: A boutique luxury option located downtown, also within close proximity.
  • Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel: Connected to the Convention Center via a walkway, making it an excellent and highly convenient choice.
  • Holiday Inn Express Sacramento Convention Center: A more budget-friendly option, still very close to the venue.
  • Inn Off Capitol Park, Ascend Hotel Collection: Another well-located option in the downtown area.
• Downtown Sacramento Hotels (Short Ride/Walk): Numerous other hotels are available in the broader downtown Sacramento area, offering a range of price points and amenities. These are typically a short taxi, ride-share, or public transport ride away from the convention center.
  • Delta King Hotel: A unique floating hotel experience on the Sacramento River, a short distance from the convention center.
  • Kimpton Sawyer Hotel: Upscale option near Golden 1 Center.
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade: Offers suites and river views, a short distance from the convention center.
  • The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection: A boutique hotel with a historic feel.
• Hotels Near Cal Expo (slightly further drive): If downtown options are full or you prefer a different area, hotels near the Cal Expo fairgrounds can be an option, but these would require a longer commute to the convention center. Examples include Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo, Fairfield Inn by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo, and TownePlace Suites by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo.

Given the annual nature of the Expo and its importance to the California food industry, it is advisable to book your accommodation as early as possible to secure your preferred location and rate, especially for hotels closest to the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center.

The Value of Vision: Understanding the Cost to Attend

Attending the Food Processing Expo is a highly valuable investment that provides access to crucial industry insights, networking, and product discovery, especially for those operating within California’s leading food production market. Here’s a general understanding of the expected registration costs for the 2026 event:

• Attendee Registration (Food Processors):
  • The California League of Food Producers (CLFP) consistently aims to keep registration fees for food processors considerably lower than many other national industry shows.
  • While specific 2026 rates will be announced closer to the event, historically, these fees have been very accessible, encouraging wide participation from the processing community. Early bird pricing is typically offered, providing further savings.
• Attendee Registration (Non-Processors/General Admission):
  • Rates for non-processor attendees (e.g., general industry professionals, suppliers not exhibiting, consultants) are also structured competitively.
  • Again, early bird discounts are usually available.
• Exhibitor Booth Space:
  • For companies looking to exhibit, booth costs vary based on size and membership status with CLFP.
  • A standard 10’x10′ booth for a CLFP Affiliate Member could be around $1,900 – $2,100 USD (early bird vs. standard).
  • For a Non-Member, a 10’x10′ booth could range from $2,300 – $2,500 USD (early bird vs. standard).
  • Larger booth sizes are priced accordingly. Exhibitors typically receive a certain number of complimentary badges, with additional badges available for purchase.
• Pre-Expo Workshop/Special Events:
  • Separate fees may apply for specialized pre-Expo workshops (like the Tomato Processing School) or certain networking receptions, offering tiered access based on interest.

These fees cover access to the show itself and the experiences offered. Attendees should also budget separately for personal travel (flights/trains), accommodation in Sacramento, and dining expenses. For the unparalleled opportunity to explore the latest innovations, connect with key decision-makers, and gain critical knowledge to drive success in California’s dynamic food processing industry, the return on this investment is substantial and often critical for operational excellence and maintaining a competitive edge.

Cultivate Your Growth: Your Journey to Food Processing Expo Success Begins Here!

The Food Processing Expo in Sacramento is more than just a convention; it’s the definitive annual forum for California’s vital food-producing industries. It’s a powerful, focused convergence of groundbreaking innovation, strategic insights, and essential business connections that shape the future of how the state’s agricultural bounty is transformed into world-class food products. It’s where the most advanced technologies are unveiled, where new processing techniques are demonstrated, and where vital partnerships are forged that propel the entire industry forward. Whether you’re a fruit and vegetable processor looking to enhance your efficiency, a dairy producer seeking new quality control solutions, a specialty food manufacturer aiming to refine your production, or simply an industry professional passionate about staying at the forefront of this critical sector, attending the Food Processing Expo is an indispensable experience that will ignite your passion, broaden your market knowledge, and empower you to lead in this highly dynamic and essential field. Don’t just harvest; innovate, grow, and achieve unparalleled success!

To learn more about the Food Processing Expo, explore the full schedule, and plan your attendance for this must-attend industry event, visit: foodprocessingexpo.org