7 products seen at M-PACT tradeshow

The annual Midwest Fuel and Convenience Trade Show, M-PACT, featured new products, services and technologies in a crowd of categories on display April 14-16 in Indianapolis.

The M-PACT Show is a collaboration of four petroleum-marketer and convenience-store state associations: Illinois Fuel & Retail Association, the Indiana Food & Fuel Association, the Kentucky Petroleum Marketers Association and the Ohio Energy and Convenience Association.

Click through to see highlights from the tradeshow floor. 

Amish Pretzel Co., founded by the creators of Ben's Soft Pretzels, offered attendees a sample of its ready-to-bake pretzels. The company described the pretzels as a high-margin, low-labor and turnkey snack solution. Samples included pretzels and pretzel bites that are made with no egg, dairy, nut, soy or sesame allergens, the company said. The pretzels and mixes are made and packaged in the United States the Elkhart, Indiana-based company said.

Convenience stores always feature the latest products in their snack aisles. Market Square Popcorn, based in Indianapolis, provided samples of its artisanal popcorn that is manufactured and packaged in the Hoosier State. The company is a veteran-owned business founded by Jonathan Warren. Michael Barnett is a co-owner. Market Square Popcorn has seven flavors, including its Market Square Mix that combines a butter crunch caramel and aged sharp cheddar flavors. 

Commercial Display Systems, Canyon Country, California, offered attendees a chance to view the company's edge door that features no center column. The company told CSP that the edge door allows for wider capacity. “No center post design is perfect for creating a more open, accessible feel, which is super important in high-traffic areas where people don’t want to feel crowded or struggle to grab what they need,” the company said.

This year’s M-Pact tradeshow floor featured various foodservice products, including edible oils. The Frytech Edible Oils booth featured a display of its 230-pound drum that assists in cooking oil management. The Indianapolis-based company provides cooking oil management solutions to commercial kitchens throughout Indiana, Michigan, western Ohio and northern Kentucky.

Wholesaler Endless Fun, based in Bloomington, Minnesota, offered samplings of its flavored straws and all-natural lip balms to attendees walking the tradeshow floor. Products showcased at M-PACT included the company's signature Milk Magic straws that are single-use, flavor-bead-filled straws. The company also offered samples of its flavored straws for water, including raspberry lemonade.

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits showcased products from the Wine Group's Fuel by Franzia line. Fuel by Franzia is a ready-to-drink alcohol line that includes Tiger's Blood a blend of strawberry, watermelon and coconut. Samples of and ready-to-drink cans of Mad Dog by MD 20/20 was also featured at M-PACT.

For c-store retailers looking to streamline operations, Gold Medal showcased its ready-to-eat popcorn on the tradeshow floor at M-PACT. Gold Medal popcorn machines are available in various sizes, including ReadyPop Jr., a compact popper and self-serve popcorn dispenser designed for smaller locations. The ReadyPop Jr. combines an 8-ounce popper with a heated cabinet to store and dispense multiple batches, saving on both labor and space, according to the Cincinnati, Ohio-based company.