NEW YORK — The Specialty Food Association, a not-for-profit trade association providing tools, knowledge, and connections to more than 3,200 specialty food companies, today announced the recipients of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Awards, which will be presented on Monday, June 27 at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City.
Specialty food sales surpassed $120.5 billion in 2015. Yet just a few decades ago, it was barely a recognized entity. “The Association’s Lifetime Achievement Awards recognize and celebrate the pioneers who helped launch and sustain the movement to elevate the foods Americans enjoy,” says Ron Tanner, vice president of philanthropy, government and industry relations, SFA.
The 2016 awards will honor five industry leaders in a ceremony on Monday, June 27. The 2016 Summer class of 47 Specialty Food Association Hall of Fame inductees will also be recognized during the event.
The honorees for Lifetime Achievement are:
Andrew Balducci, Balducci’s
Andrew Balducci, former owner of Balducci’s, was one of the first direct importers of Prosciutto di Parma in the U.S. and is credited with introducing broccoli rabe to California farmers, having mozzarella made fresh, and being among the first to enlist the services of artisan bread bakers. He worked to continually expand the Balducci’s New York City fruit and produce operations, adding cheese, pastry, seafood and a butcher shop to its repertoire.
Eunice and David Bigelow, Bigelow Tea
While the Bigelow Tea company attributes its beginnings to Ruth Bigelow and the advent of “Constant Comment” Tea in 1945, it was David and Eunice who paved the way for the explosion of the U.S. specialty tea market. Today, the Bigelows serve as co-chairs of the family-run company that makes more than 120 blends. They are founding members of the NASFT (now SFA).
Daniel J. Carter, DCI Cheese
Widely regarded as the driving force behind the creation of the U.S. specialty cheese industry, Daniel Joseph Carter has worked across the cheese category, from the Purity Cheese Company, to his own consulting firm, Dan Carter, Inc., to establishing an appropriations bill to reposition and invigorate Wisconsin dairy and specialty cheese production. Carter also served as Chair of the NASFT (now SFA) from 1972 –1973. He was recognized as a Master Connoisseur of French Gastronomy in 1972, and received the International Dairy Deli Bakery’s “President Award.”
F. James McGilloway, The Gilway Co.
In 1971, after a successful career in supermarket management, McGilloway migrated to the specialty food industry, where he spent 25+ years building success in the U.S. for Twinings Tea, Tobler Chocolates, Tiptree Preserves and other iconic brands. In 1981, he founded The Gilway Company with Tiptree Preserves, products under the Gilway label, and many other British and European specialties. He served as chair of the NASFT (now SFA) from 1986 -1988, making major contributions to the reshaping and direction of the Association.
Joel Schuman, Source Atlantique
Joel Schuman founded Source Atlantique in 1991 as part of the Food Import Group. With years in the business and strong relationships with European suppliers, he raised the standards of brand development, marketing, and salesmanship available to foreign manufacturers. Under Schuman’s leadership, Source Atlantique took ownership of brands that offered great potential, broadening and strengthening the company’s sphere of influence in the specialty food industry. His business acumen and passion for specialty foods contributed to the overall growth of the specialty food industry, bringing new brands to the U.S. and increasing the demand for high quality food products.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipients were chosen by a special committee from the Specialty Food Association, and the awards ceremony is open to all Summer Fancy Food Show attendees. Show registration is open online throughout the show, and attendees may also register in person at Javits Center starting June 26.
For more information on the SFA, Summer Fancy Food Show, and the Lifetime Achievement Awards, visit specialtyfood.com.
Press Registration
The Summer Fancy Food Show is a trade-only event. The Specialty Food Association provides complimentary press badges to qualified media. Learn more and register. Press is invited to attend the awards ceremony.
About 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 3,200 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 owns and produces the Winter and Summer Fancy Food Show, and presents the sofi Awards honoring excellence in specialty food. Learn more at specialtyfood.com
Source: Specialty Food Association
