2026 sofi™ Award Winners Announced

The Specialty Food Association (SFA) has revealed the winners of its 2026 sofi™ Awards, highlighting products and brands driving innovation, quality, and trendsetting in the specialty food and beverage sector. The awards were presented during Winter FancyFaire*, hosted by Chef Joe Sasto. Winners were selected through blind tastings by retail and foodservice buyers from more than 1,200 entries. Grand Honors included Red Jacket Orchards’ Joe’s NY Style Lemonade for Beverage of the Year, Top Seedz Bake-At-Home Seed Crackers: Sea Salt for Food of the Year, and Airborne Honey’s Creamed Clover Honey for Timeless Taste. Additional distinctions recognized outstanding packaging, new products, and category-specific excellence across 25 Gold Award categories, spanning items from cheese and charcuterie to plant-based alternatives and sweet snacks.

Industry implications of the awards extend beyond recognition. Retailers can use the sofi Awards as a benchmark for assortment planning, identifying products that align with consumer interest in premium everyday staples, specialty snacks, and value-added ingredients. For ingredient suppliers and product developers, the winners provide insight into rising demand for seeds, ancient grains, functional fats, botanicals, and natural sweeteners, as well as certifications and sourcing practices that increasingly influence purchasing decisions across specialty food channels.

“These products reflect what buyers and consumers are actively seeking today while offering a look into tomorrow’s trends,” said Mary Beth Vultee, SVP of Membership at SFA.

Sources: Specialty Food Association, 2026 sofi™ Awards Press Release, January 2026.

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