I’ve had the great privilege of attending the FoodGate/FreshGate
Expo in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. For two
days, November 16-17, it’s been an in-depth look and taste of an amazing array
of food items. Olives, olive oil,
fruits, citrus, herbs, spices, tomatoes, pickles, grains, nuts; the list goes
on and on.
When it comes to mental images of Egypt, most of us think
first of the Pyramids and Cleopatra. The
pyramids are still there, and I can tell you, those suckers are big! But while the cultural and historic offerings
are unbelievable rich, so too are the array of foods which seem to be a greatly
kept secret.
Thanks to the great work of the Food Export Council, the Chamber
of Food Industries, and with sector support from US-based NGOs like CNFA and
ACDI/VOCA, Egypt’s ‘food secret’ may be released to the world as never before. FoodGate/FreshGate is a celebration of Egypt’s
bounty, and a truly international event.
Buyers from Croatia, Australia, China, and everywhere in between
converged for two intensive days of meeting with some of Egypt’s top producers.
Sharm El Sheikh is a fabulous resort area, filled with
luxury hotel properties, and nestled near the tip of the Sinai Peninsula on the
Red Sea. And although I found time to
walk to the beach and get some Red Sea and sand in between my toes. This was a working trip. Perhaps next time….
