Expo West exhibitor reaches buyers on social media

Swiss Rosti, like thousands of other businesses, is dealing with major losses related to travel, shipping and lost sales from not being able to showcase their product at Natural Products Expo West. Stephen Caldwell, founder of the US-based food company turned to social media to introduce their new potato products, after Expo West was canceled two days prior to schedule in March.

“Natural Products Expo West represents a huge portion of our marketing budget. We were hoping retail buyers from natural and grocery stores would see our innovative product in person in Anaheim, but hopefully, they’ll now see it on YouTube instead.”

He published a short video to allow retailers to discover Swiss Rosti, and this has garnered thousands of views on Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn since he published it on March 2.

Swiss Rosti makes three flavours of its crispy, filled potato products: Melty Swiss Raclette, filled with imported Swiss Raclette cheese; the Zesty Chili Cheese, filled with Garbanzo Beans, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Red Peppers, Poblano Peppers and Spices; and the Stuffed Baked Potato, filled with Sour Cream, Cream Cheese, Black Pepper and Chives. Each 75-gram Rosti is 100 calories or less, naturally gluten-free, non-GMO, low cholesterol and vegetarian.

After starting sales in the fall of 2019, the company is enjoying great momentum. Product is available throughout the United States with distribution in the east coast, south and west, with hundreds of retail locations, and has been featured multiple times on QVC. Caldwell believes his impromptu recipe made with potatoes will turn this major business challenge into lemonade.

Natural Products Expo West is a leading natural, organic and healthy products event in the US, expecting 3,600 exhibitors and 86,000 industry professionals from 3-7 March 2020. It was among postponed events as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Organiser New Hope Network will announce the new exhibition dates in April.