Unveiled in Advance: The Emerging stars in the Fancy Food Industry Set to Shine at the Upcoming Event
The Specialty Food Association (SFA) has inaugurated a new initiative, the Fancy Food Rising Stars program, designed to recognise and elevate emerging leaders within the specialty food industry. This program, which honours buyers and investors aged 35 and under, aims to provide increased visibility and networking opportunities at the Summer Fancy Food Show, North America's largest specialty food industry event.
The 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show, held from June 29 to July 1 at the Javits Center in New York City, attracted over 30,000 attendees from more than 100 countries. The event is owned and operated by the SFA and features senior-level buyers, product developers, and decision-makers in grocery, hospitality, and related sectors.
The benefits of the Fancy Food Rising Stars program include high-level exposure at a major industry event, where participants can meet key retail buyers, investors, and influencers actively evaluating new specialty food products. The program helps emerging leaders build connections that may lead to partnerships, shelf placements, and distribution deals.
The inaugural roster for the Rising Stars program in 2025 included notable industry figures such as Louise Ainsman from Target, Edwin Asmal from Sanniti, Becca DeLara from Salad and Go, and many others. Although a complete public list of individuals directly involved in this program has not been fully disclosed, the SFA has announced the selected emerging leaders generally.
In addition to the Fancy Food Rising Stars program, the SFA offers other programs like the Maker Prep Course, a six-month accelerator combining in-person sessions at the Fancy Food Shows and online learning with expert coaching. Graduates of Maker Prep can exhibit at the shows at a discounted rate, underscoring the SFA’s commitment to nurturing new talent within specialty foods.
The Fancy Food Rising Stars will receive complimentary badges to the 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show, providing them with the opportunity to create connections with one another and with relevant exhibitors. The sofi Awards, which have honoured excellence in specialty food and beverage annually since 1972, will also be a part of the event.
In summary, the Fancy Food Rising Stars program spotlights emerging industry leaders, primarily buyers and investors, at the premier Fancy Food Show. It offers them exposure, valuable networking, and business opportunities within the specialty food ecosystem, contributing to their professional advancement and the industry's growth. The SFA will continue to support the growth and development of the specialty food industry through its various programs and events.
References:
- Specialty Food Association
- Summer Fancy Food Show
- Fancy Food Rising Stars
- Maker Prep Course
- sofi Awards
- Emerging leaders in the specialty food industry, such as Louise Ainsman and Becca DeLara, were selected for the Fancy Food Rising Stars program, providing them with opportunities to meet key retail buyers, investors, and influencers, and build connections that may lead to partnerships, shelf placements, and distribution deals.
- In addition to the Fancy Food Rising Stars program, the Specialty Food Association offers other programs like the Maker Prep Course, which nurtures new talent within specialty foods by combining in-person sessions at the Fancy Food Shows, online learning, and expert coaching, allowing graduates to exhibit at the shows at a discounted rate.
