Just imagine spending three days walking up and down the aisles in McCormick Place in Chicago where four of the major food trade association’s members convened to offer samples of their newest products, with the hope that retailers from all over the globe would make room on their shelves.

Topline? Gained 6 pounds and tasted a few noteworthy offerings—but for the most part kinda boring.

This is upsetting!

Last year, according to Nielsen, there were 49,118 new food and beverage items introduced, but only 2,561 (less that 3%) actually achieved more than $1 million in sales.

What were the standouts?

Just about everything organic, as mainstream companies led by food giant Kraft, introduced new organic versions of some favorite brands including Yuban coffee, Planters Cashews, Balance Bars, and even Kraft Salad Dressings. Other less known brands like El Bravo introduced three varieties of organic tamales (my favorite was the chicken mole) which frankly were among the best packaged Mexican food I’ve ever tasted.

Birdseye’s Steamfresh and Green Giant’s Freshtables will be without a doubt on my top ten foods of the year list. We’ve been trying to get Americans to eat more veggies – and the new microwave steam packaging will finally make that happen.

And to make you smile—Sipahh is a straw that’s packed with “unibeads” or flavorings that may well prove to be a formidable competitor to Nesquik and Hershey’s (although I must admit I was a Bosco kid myself).

And for more new foods along with my ratings…check back every Wednesday.