(Image credit: Fancy Food Show; Bruce Cost)

By Sara Moulton

A few weeks ago a few of us from the "Good Morning America" food team - Sarah Kunin, GMA's food producer, Karen Pickus, GMA's executive chef/food stylist, and yours truly - went over to the NASFT (National Association for the Specialty Food Trade) offices to get a sneak preview of the hundreds of thousands of products that will be featured at the Fancy Food Show in Washington D.C. this upcoming weekend.

We chatted with Louise Kramer, communications director for the NASFT, about trends, and tasted many of the new products that will make their appearance this year.

Here are some of the trends:

Seeds of all kinds - caraway, poppy, flax, sesame and pumpkin - are popping up all over the place - in crackers, cookies, dressings and sauces

Lavender is a favorite flavoring this year, in vinegars, oils, jams and cheese

Maple is the sweet component in many items - pickles, smoked salmon, duck sausage, fudge and, paired up with bacon in mustard and ale

Beets and Fresh Fennel star in many pickles and relishes

Olive oil for Kids - who knew that kids needed their own brand?

Malt flavor is making a comeback

Ancient Grains are the base of many healthy new products from chips to pasta

Two Popular Flavor Combos continue to appear

- sweet plus salt as in the never ending salty caramel items

- sweet plus hot (chiles), especially chocolate and chiles

Here are some of our favorite new products:

Gluten-free:

Wow Lemon Burst Cookies- moist, chewy, unlike most gluten-free baked goods

Simple Squares Cinnamon Clove Snack Bars-healthy snack made with raw ingredients

Bellows House Gluten-free Brownies

New oil:

Mediterranean Gourmet Argan Oil-would be good in salad dressings and sauces

Vinegar:

O Olive Oil Fig Balsamic Vinegar-sweet, interesting for salads

Coffee Drink:

Simpli Oat Shake-good coffee alternative, non-dairy

Ginger flavor trend:

Fresh Ginger Ginger Ale in Passion Fruit Flavor-unique soda, not too sweet

GinGin Gummy Candies-great texture, good ginger flavor

Tasty Cookie:

Crispy Crepes Sea Salt Caramel Cookies-light and crunchy

Hot Sauce:

KimKim Korean hot sauce-sweet and spicy, very unique hot sauce

Dip:

Stonemill Kitchens 3 Cheese Pepperoncini Dip-spicy and creamy

Cheese:

Uniekaas Truffle Boerenkaas Cheese-raw milk gouda-delicious on own or possibly in mac and cheese

Chocolate:

Eclipse Chocolate Caramel Rocky Road/Sea Salt-gooey and crunchy bar

Madecasse Chocolate with Coffee Nibs, unique flavor, crunchy

Chips:

Way Better Brandsweet Chili Chips-unique flavor