Specialty Food Association Announces 2019 Leadership Award Winners

Every industry needs its leaders and the Specialty Food Association (SFA) has always been one to champion this vision of leadership and community. The association recently announced its honorees for its 2019 Leadership Awards. This year’s winners are:

• CITIZENSHIP: Lisa Curtis, Kuli Kuli Foods, Oakland, CA – Curtis’s vision led to her company using the leaves of moringa trees to improve the lives of women in West Africa
• VISION: Patrick Mateer, Seal the Seasons, Chapel Hill, NC – Mateer founded the company to work with smaller farmers and make local food available year-round
• BUSINESS LEADERSHIP: Miyoko Schinner, Miyoko’s, Petaluma, CA – Schinner pioneered the plant-based cheese revolution with her use of technology

“We are proud of the great work being done across the specialty food industry. We continue to positively impact, not just the food system, but our communities and world as well," said Phil Kafarakis, President of the Specialty Food Association. "From farm to shelf, domestically to internationally, the three entrepreneurs we will honor are great examples of our organizational vision in action: ‘Shaping the Future of Food.’ We are excited to share their stories and recognize their achievements.”

According to a press release, the awards will be presented at the upcoming Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco at a special ceremony on Sunday, January 13, 5:00-6:00 pm. A reception will follow the awards ceremony.

The nominations were made by members of the SFA as well as influencers in the specialty food industry. Honorees were selected from 30 candidates. The Leadership Award judges were association member-peers serving on the SFA Recognition Committee.

Additional information about the winners can be found here.

Congratulations to Lisa, Patrick, and Miyoko from all of us here at Deli Market News!