Nominations Sought For Specialty Food Leadership Awards

NEW YORK – The Specialty Food Association is seeking nominations for its 2015 Leadership Awards. The awards honor members of the Association who are leaders in the $88.3 billion specialty food industry and beyond.

“Those selected will be individuals who are committed to advancing food standards in society with their commitment to creating social and environmental impact,” says Ron Tanner, vice president of philanthropy, government and industry relations for the Association.

Winners will be honored at the 2015 Winter Fancy Food Show. The show takes place Jan. 11 – 13, 2015, at Moscone Center in San Francisco.

The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014. Nominations are welcome from individuals outside the Specialty Food Association but those nominated must be a current Association member. The nominations will be judged by a panel of specialty food professionals and those influential in the industry. Nomination information is at specialtyfood.com/leadershipawards.

The nominees will be considered for:

• Citizenship – For improving the lives of people and communities in areas such as the environment, sustainability, hunger relief and literacy.
• Business Leadership – For advancing best practices in the food industry to create economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for food industry personnel.
• Vision – For pioneering new approaches, innovative products and business models that have set in motion positive change and progress.

The 2014 honorees were Tyler Gage, Runa Tea, Caryl Levine, Lotus Foods, and Ron Rubin, The Republic of Tea. “It was an exceptional honor to receive this level of recognition from my peers for the work we are trying to do in this world,” says Levine. “Throughout the year it has re-inspired me and given me fresh energy and confidence to take on new leadership challenges.”

About the Specialty Food Association

The Specialty Food Association is a thriving community of food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs who bring craft, care and joy to the distinctive foods they produce. Established in 1952 in New York, the not-for-profit trade association provides its 3,000 members in the U.S. and abroad the tools, knowledge and connections to champion and nurture their companies in an always-evolving marketplace. The Association (formerly the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc.) owns and produces the Winter and Summer Fancy Food Shows, and presents the sofi™ Awards honoring excellence in specialty food. Learn more at specialtyfood.com.

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Source: Specialty Food Association