72 • September | October 2026 • abasto.com Branding and Storytelling with Roots Rooted Rituals was another headline trend and it may be the most relevant for Abas- to readers. Startups in the Spark Pavilion and established brands across the hall lea- ned into origin stories, family recipes and cultural rituals, whether it was a snack inspired from a grandmother’s kitchen or a beverage tied to a regional celebration. These values-based brands focus on com- munity investment and responsible sour- cing, giving Hispanic retailers rich material for endcap storytelling, local social content and in store tasting events that connect pro- ducts to the lives of their shoppers. Fresh, Functional and “Appetite Reset” Fresh is not just about produce this year. Exhibitors pushed functional hydration and “active” foods that promise energy, focus or calm as part of daily routines. The Appetite Reset theme reflected a consumer shift toward fewer empty calo- ries and more purposeful snacking so pro- ducts like protein rich Latin inspired bites, low sugar aguas and frescas-style drinks will answer the call. For Hispanic grocers already strong in perimeter departments, the opportunity is to pair fresh staples with these new spe- cialty items and build meal and snack so- lutions around health plus flavor. What it Means for Hispanic Retailers For Hispanic supermarkets, specialty foods -such as those featured at the 2026 Fancy Food Show- are now less about cha- sing every novelty and more about cura- ting the trends that fit the community. Swicy items can sit next to traditional salsas to give shoppers a safe way to expe- riment. Clean label, plant-based products that respect authentic flavors can extend assortments for younger households that expect transparency but still crave the tas- tes they grew up with. Most of all, the emphasis on ritual and ori- gin stories aligns perfectly with the role His- panic grocers play as cultural anchors in their neighborhoods, which turns every new pro- duct with a real story into content for the aisle as well as for the next circular and social post. • Continuation of page 70 • FOOD INDUSTRY