Top Food Innovations Unveiled Before the Exhibition
Specialty Food Association Announces 2025 Fancy Food Rising Stars
The Specialty Food Association (SFA), a not-for-profit trade association for the $207 billion specialty food industry, has unveiled the inaugural roster for its Fancy Food Rising Stars program. This initiative, aimed at highlighting and showcasing emerging specialty food brands, will provide these companies with valuable opportunities for growth, networking, and recognition.
The Fancy Food Rising Stars program serves as a platform to boost emerging specialty food brands, connecting them with buyers and investors to foster innovation and market expansion within the specialty food sector. The program is designed for emerging leaders in the specialty food industry aged 35 and under.
The 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show, owned and operated by the SFA, is scheduled to take place in New York City from June 29-July 1. The showcase will offer educational programming, networking opportunities, and a platform for thousands of specialty food products from domestic and international exhibitors to shine.
This year's Fancy Food Rising Stars include a diverse group of individuals and companies, such as Louise Ainsman from Target, Edwin Asmal from Sanniti, Becca DeLara from Salad and Go, and Lily Feldman from Gopuff, among others. The selected Fancy Food Rising Stars will receive complimentary badges to the 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show.
The SFA will also aid the Fancy Food Rising Stars in finding new products, leaning into the trade show experience, and creating connections. Other notable figures set to speak at the 69th Summer Fancy Food Show include Hungryroot CEO Ben McKean and Chef Michael Symon.
In addition to the Fancy Food Rising Stars program, the SFA owns and operates the Winter FancyFaire event and the sofi Awards. The sofi Awards have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage annually since 1972.
Mary Beth Vultee has recently been named SVP, Member Relations at the Specialty Food Association, further strengthening the organization's commitment to supporting the specialty food industry.
Moreover, partnerships like the one between INFRA and GFI are helping to bring specialty food offerings to Co-op's members. Meanwhile, KeHE Distributors has shared key takeaways from its industry show, providing insights into the latest trends and developments in the specialty food sector.
The Fancy Food Rising Stars program is just one example of the SFA's efforts to promote and support the specialty food industry, offering a promising future for both established and emerging brands alike.
- The Fancy Food Rising Stars program, run by the Specialty Food Association, provides opportunities for emerging specialty food brands to connect with buyers, investors, and industry leaders, fostering innovation in the finance and business sector while shaping the lifestyle industry through food-and-drink offerings.
- The specialty food industry, spearheaded by initiatives like the Fancy Food Rising Stars program, is advancing and expanding with the help of organizations like the Specialty Food Association, bringing forth a future filled with promising developments for established and emerging brands alike, impacting areas such as food-and-drink, lifestyle, and business competitiveness.
