NEW YORK — The Specialty Food Association is proud to announce the 2017 winners of its Lifetime Achievement Awards. Today's thriving $127 billion specialty food industry was built by the brilliance and hard work of these and other Association members over its 65-year history.
"This year's class of lifetime achievement winners should inspire all of us within the specialty food industry," said Phil Kafarakis, president, Specialty Food Association. "These individuals include a couple that introduced panned chocolates, an individual who brought jerk seasoning from Jamaica to the U.S., and a retailer who defines that best of specialty food. The hard work that they've put into their companies and the advances they've made in the industry have helped pave the way for the amazing growth and excitement for all of us."
The Mission of the SFA's Lifetime Achievement Award is "to identify and celebrate the actions and special qualities of those persons widely recognized as having grown the industry, improved the Association, inspired companies and nurtured individuals."
The 2017 Winners are:
- Harold and Lorie Alexander, Kopper's Chocolate
- Ted Koryn, Liberty Foods
- Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig, Zingerman's Community of Businesses
- Jerry Santucci, Santucci Associates Inc.
- Winston Stona, Busha Browne Company
To read more about the Lifetime Achievement winners and their accomplishments, click here.
The winners will be honored at a ceremony during the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City on Sunday, June 25th.
The Summer Fancy Food Show is a trade only event held in New York City from June 25-27, 2017. To learn more or to register, visit specialtyfood.com
About the Specialty Food Association
The Specialty Food Association is a thriving community of food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs. Established in 1952 in New York, the not-for-profit trade association provides its 3,400 members in the U.S. and abroad with resources, 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 Shows, and presents the sofi™ Awards honoring excellence in specialty food. Learn more at specialtyfood.com.
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Source: Specialty Food Association