Specialty Food Association's sofi Awards celebrate culinary excellence and creativity.
Early bird pricing for sofi Award entries at $80 per SKU runs through March 8. Submissions made March 9-31 will cost $115 per SKU.
Only product-qualified members of SFA are eligible to submit entries for the sofi Awards. There is still time to for non-member companies to become product-qualified SFA members and take advantage of early bird pricing.
The 2024 sofi Awards include some notable changes, implemented by SFA and based on member feedback.
The Award levels have been simplified. There will be just one winner in each of 49 categories, who will take home the Gold Award.
An expanded slate of Grand Honors Awards will be presented live at the sofi Awards Gala during the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City. They include:
• Product of the Year—Food
• Product of the Year—Beverage
• Outstanding New Product
• Outstanding Classic
• Outstanding Packaging Design
“The sofi Awards, like all SFA programs, exist to support and celebrate our members, and we’re pleased to have the chance to elevate the sofi program based on what we’re hearing from those members,” said Phil Robinson, senior vice president of member development at SFA, in a statement. “Having just one Gold Award winner in each category allows us to focus on the single ‘best of the best’ product, which could be a new-to-market innovation or a known superstar. And of course, we’re looking forward to celebrating all the winners at the big sofi Awards Gala in New York City.”
SFA works with the Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University to manage the judging. Through anonymous tastings, FIC experts as well as specialty food buyers, journalists, and influencers, will evaluate products in 49 categories ranging from Alcoholic Beverages & Cocktail Mixes to Yogurt, Kefir and Other Dairy. A detailed process assesses entrants for their flavor, appearance, texture, aroma, ingredient quality, and innovation. All sofi winners receive promotion at the Fancy Food Shows and via SFA media, publicity and social media support, and branding tools and resources.
Attendees of the Summer Fancy Food Show will have the chance to celebrate the sofi Award winners at the Gala on June 24.
Related: Winter Fancy Food Show Featured More Than 1,000 Exhibitors; SFA Podcast: Nourishing People and the Planet With Cathy Strange, Whole Foods.
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