Natural Products Expo West – Competing on Health: Insights for Plant-Based Brands

Name: Natural Products Expo West – Competing on Health: Insights for Plant-Based Brands
Start: 2026-03-05T15:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-03-05T16:00:00-05:00
Location: Marriott

Past

March 5 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST

As “health” continues to redefine the food industry, GFI is bringing fresh data and real-world insights to Expo West.

Event description

Health isn’t just a trend—it’s reshaping the competitive landscape of food.

At Natural Products Expo West, GFI will lead a timely conversation on how evolving definitions of “healthy” are influencing consumer behavior and shaping growth in the plant-based category.

In “Competing on Health: Insights for Plant-Based Brands,” Taylor Leet-Otley, GFI’s Senior Consumer Research Lead, will share new consumer and category research exploring how different audiences interpret health—and how much it actually drives purchasing decisions. From there, Pat McAuley, GFI’s Startup Innovation Lead, will guide a candid panel discussion with plant-based brand leaders on product formulation, positioning strategies, and the lessons they’ve learned in an increasingly health-forward market.

Together, the session will unpack:

How consumers define “healthy” across segments
Where health creates value—and where it creates friction
What brands are getting right (and wrong)
How to compete strategically in today’s health-focused environment

If you’re navigating the intersection of plant-based innovation and consumer expectations, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Event location

Marriott

700 W Convention Way
Anaheim, California 92802 United States + Google Map

GFI speakers

Taylor Leet-Otley

SENIOR CONSUMER RESEARCH LEAD

Taylor Leet-Otley oversees GFI’s consumer research, keeping the organization and the industry in touch with consumers’ needs & beliefs in the fast-moving alternative protein category. Taylor joined GFI with a background as a consultant focused on market research, consumer insights, and strategy. He worked in a diverse range of industries including CPG, energy, recycling, healthcare, and consumer tech, with a focus on brand management, B2B strategy, and market entry. He graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in Neuroscience and Religion.

Pat McAuley

STARTUP INNOVATION LEAD

Pat McAuley works with the Corporate Engagement team, serving as the primary contact for alternative protein entrepreneurs and startups. Prior to joining GFI, Pat was a multi-time founder having started businesses in food and beverage as well as tech, most recently founding a multi-unit fast casual plant-based restaurant brand. He holds a degree in Management Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.