Specialty Food Association Honors Industry Leaders

Awards to be Presented at Winter Fancy Food Show

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Jan 06, 2015, 02:30 ET

NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Specialty Food Association announces six winners of its third annual Leadership Awards honoring members who have gone "above and beyond" in advancing food standards in society--and society itself--by creating social, economic and environmental impact through innovation and vision.

Their achievements range from employing women in Kenya, to bringing halal foods to the American mainstream, to taking on U.S. agencies to change import laws.

Specialty Food Association logo

The winners are:

Business Leadership:

Adnan Durrani, Saffron Road
David Gremmels, Rogue Creamery

Citizenship:

Ahmed and Reem Rahim, Numi Organic Tea
Sara Holby, Ajiri Tea

Vision:

Jeni Britton Bauer, Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
James May, Wisdom Natural Brands

"The specialty food industry is fueled by passionate entrepreneurs who seek to make a difference through the products they bring to market. These leaders are making an even greater impact by pioneering new business practices, empowering workers, and taking risks," says Ann Daw, president of the Specialty Food Association.

The awards will be presented on Jan. 11, 2015, at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, following a keynote address by Seth Goldman, co-founder and CEO of Honest Tea. The ceremony, co-presented by the Social Venture Network, is from 5 - 6:30 p.m. at Moscone Center.

Nominations for the awards were made by members of the Specialty Food Association and others in the specialty food industry. A panel of judges composed of industry experts and influencers selected the honorees from dozens of nominees across the three categories.

The judges included David Gagnon, Organic Trade Association, Brattleboro, Vt.; John Raiche, UNFI, Providence, R.I.; Donna Daniels, Social Venture Network, San Francisco; Rory Treats, City Harvest, New York; and Errol Schweizer, Whole Foods Market, Austin, Texas.

Press Registration
The Fancy Food Show is a trade-only event. The Specialty Food Association provides complimentary press badges to qualified media. Learn more and register.

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 ever-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