Jessup, MD – Soft Stuff Distributors was awarded Sodexo’s Strategic Diverse Vendor Partner and the top honor, Partner of the Year, at Sodexo’s annual Vendor Partner Meeting held on June 15, 2015 in Bethesda, MD. This recognition marks the first time one company has taken home two awards and acknowledges the progressive and collaborative relationship between Sodexo and Soft Stuff Distributors. “What a great way to start our 25th anniversary year,” said Lois Gamerman, Soft Stuff Distributors’ President and CEO. “We value the partnership we have with Sodexo and recognize that our success would not have been possible without their professionalism and strong commitment to truly work together with their vendors.”
Sodexo's Vendor Partner Award Program recognizes the contributions of companies whose efforts play a vital role in supporting the company’s mission to enhance performance and improve quality of life.
Soft Stuff was awarded the coveted Partner of the Year because of its innovative approach, strategic business planning and engagement with Sodexo operators. Other Vendor of the Year nominees included Starbucks, PepsiCo, and Network Services.
“Soft Stuff topped our selection for many reasons, including its great service, product offering and problem solving,” said Jim Pazzanese, Vice President of Supply Management at Sodexo. “The company’s strategic approach and proactive business execution helped it develop and grow its business with Sodexo by an astounding 500 percent in just one short year.” In addition, Sodexo highlighted Soft Stuff’for its focus and support of Sodexo's Six Dimensions of Quality of Life as well as mentoring potential diverse suppliers and the operational ease and efficiencies when using their program.
Soft Stuff also won in the Strategic Diverse Vendor Partner category. Sodexo commended Soft Stuff for experiencing significant business growth by engaging Sodexo to develop and collaborate on strategic business plans to align their resources with both Sodexo operators and Sodexo corporate. “They have a targeted approach to bring innovation and differentiated products to Sodexo, and they demonstrate their extensive product knowledge, best-in-class deployment and excellence in customer service while receiving many accolades across the business segments for their support and alignment,” said Darlene Fuller, Sodexo’s Senior Director of Supplier Diversity.
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About Soft Stuff Distributors, Inc.
Soft Stuff Distributors, Inc., founded in 1990 by Lois Gamerman, is one of the largest independent specialty foodservice distributors servicing the Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Virginia and Philadelphia markets. Located in Jessup, Maryland, the company has gone from selling ice cream supplies to stocking and featuring over 3200 items, including ice cream, soups, pastries, cookies, desserts, bagels, breads, cakes, hors d’ oeuvres, quiche, muffins, and brownies. Soft Stuff is a Certified Woman-Owned business through the WBENC. The company, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, plans to expand its business beyond the Mid-Atlantic region within the next year.
About Sodexo, Inc.
Sodexo, Inc., the leading Quality of Life services provider in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Services in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government and Remote Site segments, as well as Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Sodexo, Inc. is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md. and funds all administrative costs for the independent and charitable Sodexo Foundation — granting more than $25 million since 1999 to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at SodexoInsights.com
Source: Sodexo, Inc.
