Refrigerated Foods Association - RFA 2027
Event Date
February 14–17, 2027
Location
San Diego, CA
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe Refrigerated Foods Association (RFA) Annual Conference & Exhibition is the flagship event of the RFA, an organization of manufacturers and suppliers of refrigerated prepared foods. The 2027 edition marks the association's 46th Annual Conference, bringing together companies that make and supply wet salads, refrigerated entrees and side dishes, dips, desserts, soups, and ethnic foods, along with the equipment, packaging, ingredient, and service providers that support them.
Attendees are primarily manufacturers and associate (supplier) members of the refrigerated foods industry, along with technical, food safety, sales, and marketing professionals. The conference is a place to network and gain new information affecting the industry, including technical innovations, sales and marketing tips, consumer trends, distribution solutions, new product and package development, and food safety issues.
The conference typically pairs an education program with an exhibition component — a full Exhibit Hall is offered every other year, with Tabletop Displays in the in-between years — where suppliers showcase the latest equipment, packaging, ingredients, and services. It is worth attending for its focused industry networking, regulatory and food safety guidance, and the annual election of the association's Board of Directors.
Show Highlights
- Exhibition component: A full Exhibit Hall is offered every other year, while Tabletop Displays are featured on the alternating years, with suppliers presenting the latest equipment, packaging, ingredients, and services for the refrigerated foods industry.
- Industry education: Sessions covering technical innovations, consumer trends, sales and marketing strategies, distribution solutions, new product and package development, and food safety and regulatory issues.
- Networking: A core focus of the conference, connecting refrigerated food manufacturers with suppliers across the industry.
- Governance: The RFA Board of Directors is elected at the Annual Conference to serve three-year terms.
- Resort setting: The 2027 conference is hosted at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, a 265-acre resort in San Diego's North County.
Registration
According to the RFA, details and registration for the 2027 conference will be available in early fall, with Exhibit Hall reservations taken in late summer and sponsorship opportunities also available. Prospective attendees and exhibitors should monitor the official RFA Conference page for registration openings and deadlines.
History
The Refrigerated Foods Association was formed in 1980 as the Salad Manufacturers Association (SMA) to meet the needs of the then-budding wet salad industry, including potato salad, cole slaw, pasta salad, and protein salads. The association was founded following a meeting in Savannah, Georgia in October 1980, with Don Sircy of Performance Manufacturing as the visionary behind its formation and Dave Miller of Mrs. Kinser's as the first President. As the industry evolved, the group changed its name to the Refrigerated Foods Association in 1992 to better reflect its members' broader product lines, which by then included wet salads, home meal replacement options, refrigerated entrees, dips, desserts, ethnic foods, and side dishes. The association has grown from its humble beginnings of 12 salad makers in 1980 to over 150 refrigerated food companies worldwide today, and the 2027 event marks its 46th Annual Conference.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2027 RFA Annual Conference?
The Refrigerated Foods Association's 46th Annual Conference & Exhibition takes place February 14-17, 2027, at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, California.
Who should attend the RFA Conference?
The conference is geared toward manufacturers and suppliers in the refrigerated prepared foods industry, including makers of wet salads, refrigerated entrees and side dishes, dips, desserts, soups, and ethnic foods, plus companies providing related equipment, packaging, ingredients, and services.
How do I register or reserve exhibit space?
The RFA states that conference details and registration will be available in early fall, while Exhibit Hall reservations are taken in late summer and sponsorship opportunities are also offered. Check the official RFA Conference page for current openings and deadlines.
Is there an exhibition or trade show floor?
Yes. The RFA offers a full Exhibit Hall every other year and Tabletop Displays on the alternating years, where suppliers showcase the latest equipment, packaging, ingredients, and services for the industry.
What is the venue like and how do I get there?
Rancho Bernardo Inn is a 265-acre resort in San Diego's North County with 286 guest rooms, three pools, a spa, and a championship golf course. It sits about 27 to 30 miles north of San Diego International Airport, roughly a 30-minute drive via Interstate 5 and Route 163.
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