Natural Products Expo West 2026: Vegan Finds, Samples & FAQ
Last week, I attended the 2026 Natural Products Expo West Trade Show, the world’s largest natural products expo!
I spent 3 days exploring thousands of exhibitors to find the latest in vegan products and found plenty of meat alternatives, dairy-free dupes, snacks, desserts, and even beauty products. I shared video recaps of my finds on social media, and it sparked a lot of questions about Expo West.
Find my answers to the most frequently asked questions below, along with my Top 10 Favorites and Samples from 2026 Natural Products Expo West.
Natural Products Expo West FAQ (2026)
What is Natural Products Expo West?
Natural Products Expo West is the world’s leading trade show for natural and organic products. The trade show is intended for industry professionals, including brands, retailers, investors, media, health practitioners, distributors, manufacturers, suppliers, and food service. There are thousands of exhibitors, even more attendees, and several days of sampling, keynotes, and more, all for networking and discovering what’s new and trending in the natural products space.
Expo West has been coined” the Super Bowl of the natural products industry“. It’s the biggest event of the year for those of us working in or hyper-fixated on the space.
Buyers attend to scout new products for their stores, brands share their latest innovations, health practitioners learn about new products for their patients, and media (like me!) are there to cover new trends and discoveries.
In 2026, Expo West celebrated its 45th year as the go-to event for the natural products industry. It was held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, with over 60,000 attendees and more than 3,000 exhibitors, spanning over 100 countries.1
“New Hope Network is at the forefront of the natural & organic industry. As producer of Natural Products Expo West, New Hope’s mission is to cultivate a prosperous high-integrity CPG and retail ecosystem that creates health, joy and justice for all people while regenerating the planet.“
-The New Hope Network, Natural Products Expo West
Is everything at Expo West vegan?
Not at all! There are many products that fall into the “natural” category but are not vegan, including, but not limited to: meat and dairy. However, vegan is a category that can be found among the exhibitors at Natural Products Expo West; it just takes a little effort to find them. The plant-based category continues to thrive!
Is it all food?
Nope! While food and beverages make up a bulk of Natural Products Expo West, there are many other products in categories like:
- Supplements (vitamins, protein powder)
- Beauty, Hair, Body, & Skincare
- Household Products (laundry, cleaning)
- Pets (shampoo, treats, supplements)
- Lifestyle & Wellness (mood patches, bug spray)
Is Expo West open to the public?
Not exactly. Expo West is meant to be a trade-only event, meaning only those involved in the natural products industry are eligible to attend. There is a list of approved categories for attendees on the Natural Products Expo West website. It includes industry professionals, such as:
- Retailers
- Health Practitioners
- Distributors (Finished Goods)
- Food Service
- Suppliers/Raw Ingredient Distributor
- Manufacturers
- Business Services
- Investors
Another approved category is “Press,” which requires an application. Press categories include:
- Press (Press, Editor, Reporter, Writer, Anchor, Broadcast Producer, Host)
- Freelancers (Freelancer, Writer)
- Bloggers or Social Media Influencers (Blogger, Influencer, Social Media Influencer, Podcaster)
- Media Services (Publisher, Account Executive, Associate Publisher, CEO, President, Vice President, Sales Director, Sales Executive)
Expo West offers the option to purchase a “Guest Pass” for any attendee who is not directly or indirectly involved in the Natural Products Industry. However, a Guest Pass is currently $5,250 USD, making it unrealistic for most people outside of the industry.
Does it cost anything to attend Expo West?
Yes. Most attendees must pay a registration fee to attend Natural Products Expo West. Pricing ranges from $200 to $5,000 for industry professionals and depends on your role and registration timing. Guest Passes for any attendee not directly or indirectly involved in the industry are $5,250.
However, some attendees, like media and buyers, are eligible for a complimentary or discounted badge.
How are you able to attend Expo West?
I attend Natural Products Expo West as a “Press” attendee. One of the approved categories for attendees is Press, which requires an application. I apply as a blogger and content creator, and qualify under the “Press” category, all thanks to YOU and your support!
Press categories include:
- Press (Press, Editor, Reporter, Writer, Anchor, Broadcast Producer, Host)
- Freelancers (Freelancer, Writer)
- Bloggers or Social Media Influencers (Blogger, Influencer, Social Media Influencer, Podcaster)
- Media Services (Publisher, Account Executive, Associate Publisher, CEO, President, Vice President, Sales Director, Sales Executive)
How do you get all your samples?
Sampling is one of the BIGGEST parts of the Natural Products Expo West experience, so much so that I have no idea why the Convention Center dining halls are open. This is the chance for in-person taste testing and behind-the-scenes access to the brand.
The main halls of the Anaheim Convention Center are lined with exhibitors showcasing their best and newest, with some booths going all out with their displays. Almost every booth offers product samples and even swag to attendees.
Some brands offer small bites, others offer sample sizes to take home, and others give away full-sized products. Most give away samples and swag with no strings attached, but some create a challenge or experience to be completed first, such as a claw machine, lottery system, or even a social media follow.
There are SO MANY samples that one of the main merch and swag items is tote bags, because we need them!
When is Natural Products Expo West 2027?
Natural Products Expo West 2027 is March 2-5, 2027, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.
Want to attend? Sign up to be notified when 2027 Expo West Registration Opens.
Not sure if you’re eligible? Check out their Approved Categories for more information.
Top Vegan Finds from Expo West 2026
These were some of the most exciting vegan products I discovered while exploring thousands of exhibitors at Natural Products Expo West 2026.
Vegan Taiyaki- Kobira Corporation
Kobira Corporation unveiled “the universe’s first” vegan taiyaki at 2026 Natural Products Expo West! What is it? A Japanese dessert that is a frozen waffle-like cake filled with custard, cream, or paste. This had a vanilla custard filling and was DELICIOUS!
Dairy-Free Ravioli- Living Tree Foods, Shire’s Naturals
Living Tree Foods is Canadian, and makes vegan cheese and cheese-filled ravioli sent from heaven! Available in 3 flavors: Basil Ricotta, Garlic Spinach Ricotta, and Savory Beefless Mushroom.
Shire’s Naturals has their own line of dairy-free cheese and ravioli that is SO TASTY! Available in Cheese, Roasted Garlic + Cheese, and Spinach + Cheese. Hailing from New York, they also have a vegan risotto that is so creamy and delicious!
Dinosaur Veggie Nuggets- Actual Veggies
Actual Veggies shared their new dinosaur-shaped tot-style nuggets! Made with veggies like sweet potato + carrot, broccoli + potato, and cauliflower + potato, these are so fun and good for you too!
Vegan + Cruelty-Free Body, Hair, & Beauty- Glimmer Wish
Glimmer Wish is my newest obsession! Vegan and cruelty-free hair care, body care, lip gloss, and totes in shapes like unicorns, rainbows, and mermaids, and scents like cotton candy and island breeze. Clean beauty can be fun!
This is currently available online at Amazon and Ulta.
Vegan “Cheez-It” in White Cheddar & Hot + Spicy- Back to Nature
Back to Nature takes our pantry favorites and remakes them using better-for-you ingredients.
They’ve had a Cheez-It dupe called “Cheezy Crackers,” and now they have NEW flavors, including Hot & Spicy and White Cheddar! Both are ADDICTING and coming to Target!
Vegan + Gluten-Free Teeny Tiny Chocolate Chip Cookies- Partake
Partake now makes super snackable TEENY TINY chocolate chip cookies that are tasty as-is or with milk, a vegan and gluten-free Cookie Crisp dupe!
You can find them on Amazon and popping up in stores now. Find them in a store near you on their website here.
Dairy-Free Organic Maple and Banana Bread Creamers & Popcorn Oatmilk- Nutpods, Oatly
Nutpods is releasing a line of sweetened creamer in both conventional and organic. The Organic Maple is amazing, and Banana Bread is on the way!
You can use their store locator to find them near you as they begin to roll out.
Oatly is bringing their POPCORN flavored barista oat milk to the US! Why? I don’t know, but yay!
This flavor is already available in the UK. Lucky!
Vegan + Gluten-Free Crispy Treats- Lil Bucks
Lil Bucks has NEW vegan and gluten-free crispy treats on the way in Original, Strawberry Shortcake, Birthday Cake, and Chocolate!
Vegan + Gluten-Free Oatcakes Mix- Seven Sundays
Seven Sundays showcased their NEW OATCAKES! Coming soon in flavors: Original, Blueberry, and Double Chocolate. Just add water!
PINK Ginger Seaweed Salad- Azuma Foods Gourmet
Azuma Foods shared their new PINK Ginger Seaweed Salad! It’s so yummy and SO PRETTY!
Top Vegan Samples from Expo West 2026
While I tried a TON of samples AT Expo, these are the samples I took home and can’t wait to use.
Some I’ve tried before, and some are BRAND NEW! Stay tuned for my future reviews on them!
Dairy-Free Cheese- Plant Ahead USA
Plant Ahead USA has some IMPRESSIVE dairy-free cheese that we believe can convert even those who LOVE dairy!
I took home some slices of mozzarella and cheddar, and have a wedge of Parmesan and a block of blue cheese. Any ideas for how I should use them?
Dairy-Free Shaker Parmesan- Madly Hadley
Madly Haldey has a NEW line of dairy-free vegan shaker parm, and it’s SO TASTY!
I got this along with some bacon bits! You can find both on MaldyHadley.com and in Whole Foods.
Boiled Peanuts- Dixie Grace’s
Dixie Grace’s Boiled Peanuts are the “edamame of the south,” and I’m hooked!
They’re available in Original and Hot + Spicy on DixieGracesBoiledPeanuts.com
Cotton Candy Clouds Flavor Extract- Supernatural
Supernatural makes flavor extracts now, and I took home the coveted “Cotton Candy Clouds”.
The opportunities are endless! What do I use it in first?
Organic Vegan Chocolate- Magic Chocolate
Magic Chocolate makes organic vegan chocolate and truffles in both dark and oat that are DROOL WORTHY!
You can currently find them in Sprouts stores!
Natural Incense & Vegan Body Care- Sea Witch Botanicals
Sea Witch Botanicals makes vegan and natural incense, candles, body care, and more that give back to the planet and have the coolest witchy vibes.
I got to take home Krampus incense and scented spray (my scent choice), and I love it! They even list which zodiac signs pair with which scents.
You can find them in stores across the country and online at SeaWitchBotanicals.com
Plant-Based Chocolate- Ritter Sport
Ritter Sport is trying once again to launch their plant-based chocolate line. Available in Cookie & Crispy Flakes, Roasted Peanuts, Crunchy Almonds, and Salted Caramel.
While popular overseas, we need to bring the hype for these in the US! I for one, am SO READY!
Vegan Chocolate- VGAN Chocolate
VGAN Chocolate offers many vegan chocolate flavors and is introducing a new protein bar line. I LOVE the Salted Pretzel Bar, but they are all super yummy.
You can shop from them directly at VGANChocolate.com
Vegan + Cruelty-Free Nail Polish– Piggy Paint
Piggy Paint is my go-to polish for pedicures.
Vegan, cruelty-free, and water-based, this stuff dries fast and is SO CUTE!
This is available at Walmart, Target, and PiggyPaint.com
Vegan White Cheddar Mac & Scavenger Hunt Charm Bracelet– Goodles
Goodles makes my favorite vegan mac & cheese, called “Vegan is Believin’,” which is a white cheddar flavor I just can’t get enough of. Not new, but my regular hyper-fixation food.
PLUS Goodles and their partner brands held a charm bracelet scavenger hunt at Expo that was so cute and BRILLIANT MARKETING. That team deserves the biggest raise!
We started with a bracelet from Goodles that included a macaroni-shaped charm and their signature “G”, then were sent to find the remaining charms from their partners:
- Back to Nature (gold cheezy cracker charm)
- Kooshy (golden crouton charm)
- The Only Bean (gold + green edamame charm)
- Jesse & Ben’s (gold + pink fries in cup charm)
- Ayoh! Foods (gold sandwich charm)
- Laoban Dumplings (cream bao bun charm)
- De Soi (gold + red can of non-alcoholic aperitif charm)
- Happy (brown smiling coffee bean charm)
- Smash Foods (purple jam jar charm)
Watch My Expo West Vegan Finds Recap Videos
After days of walking the Anaheim Convention Center (it’s over a million square feet), I am exhausted, but undeterred from applying to attend next year. 2026 was my 4th year attending Natural Products Expo West, and I so hope I can attend in future years. The first year I heard of Expo West, I saw vegan innovations I’d only dreamed of, and that’s when I started to dig into how I could attend future expos. YOU, the person reading this, are the reason I am able to cover these events, and I so thank you for that! I can’t wait to share what’s next in the vegan space– until next year!
Be the first to comment