MIC Food Group® Heads to PLMA 2025: Bringing Authentic Tropical Flavor to the Global Private Label Stage

This November, the MIC Food Group® team is heading to Chicago for one of the biggest events in the private label industry, the PLMA Private Label Trade Show. Each year, the show brings together manufacturers, brand owners, and retailers from around the world to explore what’s next in store brands.

For over 35 years, MIC Food Group® has helped partners bring authentic tropical flavors to customers with less prep and more consistency. From sweet plantains and tostones to yuca and boniato, our products make it easy for retailers and foodservice operators to offer global flavor without compromising quality.

So when it comes to innovation in private label, especially around tropical, natural, and ready-to-heat foods, PLMA is where we belong.

You can find MIC Food Group® in The Sky Hall at Booth #F9015 during the show. Come meet the MIC Food Group® team and explore how we’re bringing authentic tropical flavor to private label and foodservice markets worldwide.

Why We’re Excited About PLMA 2025

This year’s PLMA show is expected to be the most internationally diverse yet, with exhibitors from more than 60 countries. According to PLMA’s Enriketa Beluli, “Exhibit space has grown nearly 30% since 2023, and a significant portion of that demand is coming from outside the United States.”

That’s exciting news for the global food community, and especially for suppliers from Central and South America, where MIC Food Group® has deep sourcing roots. Countries like Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, and Ecuador will be well represented at the show, highlighting the region’s growing influence in the world of private label manufacturing.

We’re looking forward to connecting with international partners who share our passion for bringing natural, globally inspired foods to market.

The Global Appeal of Store Brands

Store brands have evolved far beyond their early days as budget alternatives. Today, they represent quality, innovation, and value, and they’re shaping the future of grocery aisles around the world.

One in every four products sold in the U.S. is now a retailer’s own brand or label, and consumers increasingly see private label items as just as good, if not better, than national brands.

“Private brands have really arrived,” says Tom Cosgrove, director of industry relations at FMI – The Food Industry Association. “Shoppers tell us the No. 1 reason for purchasing private brands is price and value (both at 71%). Yet these aren’t just temporary inflation-driven gains — a solid 51% of consumers plan to stick with store brands even after grocery prices drop.”

The numbers back that up: private labels now account for 21.7% of dollars spent and 23.9% of all units sold across U.S. retail — record highs that continue to climb each year, according to Arizton, a market research firm.

For MIC Food Group®, that means an incredible opportunity to help retailers differentiate their offerings with authentic tropical foods that meet the growing demand for bold, global flavors.

Our heat-and-serve solutions not only help retailers expand their frozen assortments but also empower them to capture the tastes of Latin America with the reliability, traceability, and efficiency they need to succeed.

What We’re Showcasing

At PLMA 2025, we’ll be featuring some of our most popular and versatile tropical products:

• Sweet Plantains (Maduros) – perfectly ripened, naturally sweet, and ready to heat.
• Tostones (Green Plantains) – crispy, savory, and made for dipping or topping.
• Yuca, Boniato, and Sweet Potato – hearty root vegetables ideal for both retail and foodservice applications. 

Every MIC Food Group® product is made from 100% natural ingredients, GFSI-certified, and available in both private label and foodservice formats. That means consistent quality, traceable sourcing, and customizable packaging options designed to meet the needs of modern consumers.

The Rise of International Collaboration

As the private label industry becomes increasingly global, collaboration across borders is fueling innovation. PLMA’s new International Pavilion, now located in the Main Hall, will give international exhibitors more visibility than ever, a fitting move given the industry’s growing diversity and scope.

For MIC Food Group®, this expansion reflects a broader trend: the blending of local authenticity with global reach. As more retailers embrace international cuisines and multicultural flavors, we’re proud to play a role in helping brands deliver those experiences to their customers, one plate at a time.

A Shared Vision for the Future

At MIC Food Group®, we believe tropical foods shouldn’t be complicated. They should be convenient, consistent, and full of flavor. For retailers and distributors, that means having a trusted partner who understands how to scale authentic tropical ingredients for private label programs.

That’s why PLMA is so important to us, it’s a place to connect, learn, and collaborate with those shaping the future of food.

If you’ll be attending the PLMA 2025 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago, we’d love to meet you. Stop by our booth to discover how MIC Food Group® can help you deliver tropical flavor that’s ready for today’s market, and tomorrow’s growth.

About MIC Food Group®

For over 35 years, MIC Food Group® has helped foodservice operators and private label partners deliver authentic tropical flavors with less prep and more consistency. The company specializes in frozen sweet plantains, tostones, yuca, boniato, sweet potatoes, and other tropical vegetables, all produced under the highest food safety standards and traceable from farm to fork.

MIC Food Group® is GFSI-certified, family-owned, and a certified Minority Business Enterprise. Its brands include Big Banana®, Tio Jorge®, and United Flavors®.