News Releases

New Summer Class Joins 2016 Specialty Food Hall of Fame
Inductees to be Honored at Summer Fancy Food Show

NEW YORK (June 1, 2016) – The Specialty Food Association announces a new group of honorees for the 2016 class of the Specialty Food Hall of Fame. The 47 individuals have been instrumental in building and shaping the $120.5 billion specialty food industry into the thriving business it is today.

Inductees include George Gellert, Atalanta Corporation, Gary Guittard, Guittard Chocolate and Daniel Lubetzky, KIND. Those honored were nominated and selected by Association members and the Hall of Fame Committee.

Established in 2015, the Hall of Fame’s mission is to “honor individuals whose accomplishments, impact, contributions, innovations, and successes within the specialty food industry deserve praise and recognition.”  The inaugural class included 115 people. The 2016 class, inducted at the Winter and Summer Fancy Food Shows, includes an additional 94.

“The specialty food industry has become a  significant part of American cuisine thanks to the tireless efforts of manufacturers, importers, retailers and culinary leaders who formed and evolved the specialty food industry in the l950s, 1960s,  1970s and 1980s,” says Ron Tanner, vice president of philanthropy, government  and industry relations for the Association.

See the full list of inductees.

The inductees will be honored on June 27, 2016, at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York as part of a special event that also includes the Association’s Lifetime Achievement Awards.

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.

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 3,200 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

Media Contact:
Louise Kramer, Communications Director, 646-878-0130, lkramer@specialtyfood.com 

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