The three-day event which offers a glimpse into the latest food products and innovations within the wholesale, grocery and foodservice sectors, will be held on 16-18 April.
A range of masterclasses, plenary sessions, interviews and panel debates will take place along with breakfast tasting sessions held on all three mornings.
The ‘Breakfast Bite’ sessions will feature representatives from every UK region showing off their products and produce.
The show will look to tackle and debate the ‘issues of the moment’ in the food industry including food waste, for which Richard Fox, ambassador for Love Food Hate Waste, and Matthew Fort and Hannah Gallimore from the Co-Op will lead the debate.
Health also be high on the agenda at the event with trends such as protein, plant-based foods, superfood, technology, obesity and the war on sugar all set to be discussed.
Included will be a panel hosted by The Happerley Board, focused on provenance and where food comes from.
A session on building a brand will aim to guide retailers in how to maximise profitable sales, with industry success stories such as Snaffling Pig and the Apprentice Levy looked at.
The venue will host an expected 1,500 suppliers including Ireland-based Taste Cork, a food initiative to support a sustainable local food economy, and Vleems Food BV of the Netherlands, a producer of microwaveable convenience snacks for retail.
Dan Dixon, sales director at Food & Drink Expo, said: “Every two years Food & Drink Expo provides a unique opportunity for buyers to source inspirational products.
“But, even more important, is the raft of free advice and insights available to visitors at the show.
“Success breeds success and we hope that our attendees this year return home full of business-building ideas and an accurate overview of what we can expect across the relevant markets in the year to come.”