Specialty Food Association Unveils 2026 sofi™ Award Winners at Winter FancyFaire
Specialty Food Association Unveils 2026 sofi™ Award Winners at Winter FancyFaire
The Specialty Food Association (SFA) held an exciting ceremony at Winter FancyFaire, announcing the prestigious winners of the 2026 sofi™ Awards. The event, hosted by celebrity Chef Joe Sasto, gathered key figures from the specialty food industry, including makers, buyers, and media, to celebrate the creativity and innovation behind this year's standout products.
The sofi™ Awards, a hallmark of excellence in the specialty food and beverage sector, recognize achievements across 25 Gold Award categories and five Grand Honors distinctions. Judges for these awards include leading retail and foodservice buyers who taste and evaluate submissions through a rigorous blind tasting process. This year, over 1,200 products were considered, with winners showcasing a plethora of trends influencing market growth, such as bold flavors, quality ingredients, and eye-catching packaging.
Winners express the evolving palate of consumers, reflecting both current desires and setting trends for the future. SFA's SVP of Membership, Mary Beth Vultee, noted, "These outstanding products really capture where specialty food is headed. They reflect what buyers and consumers are actively seeking today while offering a look into tomorrow's most compelling trends and features."
Key Winners Announced
The 2026 sofi™ Award winners are:
Grand Honors (Platinum Awards)
- - Product of the Year – Beverage: Red Jacket Orchards, Joe's NY Style Lemonade
- - Product of the Year – Food: Top Seedz, Bake-At-Home Seed Crackers Sea Salt
- - Outstanding Packaging Award: Angel Oak Smokehouse, Hot Smoked Salmon
- - Outstanding New Product: UMYUM, Za'atar Spices Soft Cheese
- - Timeless Taste: Airborne Honey, Creamed Clover Honey
Gold Awards by Category
- - Alcoholic Beverages: Bittermilk Bottling Co., Gingerbread Old Fashioned
- - Baking Ingredients: Top Seedz, Bake-At-Home Seed Crackers Sea Salt
- - Bread & Bakery: Clementine's Ice Cream, Gooey Butter Cake
- - Cereals & Granola: Jamie's Farm, Chai Streusel Granola with Honey
- - Charcuterie Meats: Fra' Mani, Rosemary Ham
- - Cheese: Dutch Cheese Makers, Artikaas Vintage Lot 36
- - Chocolate: Caputo's, Wild Juruá by Luisa Abram
- - Condiments: New Canaan Farms, Olive Rosemary Dijon Mustard
- - Crackers & Crispbreads: Kayco, Craize® Corn Snacks Everything Flavor
- - Dairy & Eggs: AGA Smör, Mushroom Butter
- - Frozen Prepared Foods: Food Earth, A Perfect Marriage - Tomato Coconut Soup
- - Grains, Pasta & Legumes: Cafe Spice LLC, Coconut Rice
- - Meat: MEAT THE VEGGIES LLC, The Original Pulled Oxtail Meat
- - Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Red Jacket Orchards, Joe's NY Style Lemonade
- - Nuts, Seeds, Trail Mix & Dried Fruit: Evie's Snacks, Banana Bread Roasted Texas Pecans
- - Oils & Vinegar: Manfredi Barbera Figli S.p.A., KALAT
- - Pickles, Olives & Fermented Foods: Musco Food Corp., Vantia Grilled Italian Cipollini Onions
- - Plant-Based Alternatives: UMYUM, Za'atar Spices Soft Cheese
- - Salsas & Dips: Nuovo, Lemon, Basil Pistachio Spread
- - Sauces: Wozz! Kitchen Creations, Middle Eastern Shawarma Sauce
- - Savory Snacks: OSH! Oh So Healthy Corporation, OSH! Kimchi Crisps Cabbage Natural Spices
- - Seafood: Conservas Güeyu Mar, Chargrilled Sardine Loins
- - Seasonings & Sweeteners: Airborne Honey, Creamed Clover Honey
- - Spreads, Jams & Jellies: Janet's Finest Compotes, Peach Berry Jalapeño Compote
- - Sweet Snacks: Norwegian Baked, KnekkeGodis
As part of the Winter FancyFaire trade show, a spotlight will be on these award-winning products, allowing visitors a chance to sample and explore the offerings redefining the specialty food landscape. The event is primarily accessible to qualified members of the food trade, including industry affiliates and media.
For more information regarding the Winter FancyFaire and the sofi™ Awards, the SFA invites attendees to visit specialtyfood.com.
About the Specialty Food Association
Established in 1952, the Specialty Food Association serves as a not-for-profit trade organization representing the $219 billion specialty food industry. With over 4,400 member businesses, SFA is dedicated to fostering growth, participation, and success across the specialty food landscape by hosting events, educational programs, and providing year-round resources. The association also organizes the Summer Fancy Food Show, Winter FancyFaire, and the prestigious sofi™ Awards, honoring excellence in specialty food and beverages since 1972. Follow SFA's updates across social media to stay aligned with industry trends.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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