Specialty Food Magazine

Spring 2020

Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.

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SPRING MESSAGE FROM PHIL KAFARAKIS, PRESIDENT As we continue to build SFA membership and the benefits we offer, we're working to improve our levels of direct service and support for you and your entire team. Since 1952, our legacy has been to help members prepare for business success and to address larger issues on behalf of the entire industry. Over the past 65+ years, the food business landscape has transformed and the SFA, to remain effective, continues to evolve to meet the challenges of today. Our new policy to expand SFA membership to companies just starting out and to buyers, distributors, and others in the industry, will create a diverse network of those who create, sell, and buy the extraordinary products of specialty food. We take pride in being the place where the entire industry can join together for the benefit of all. Some of our other improvements include: A Member Help Desk to better connect you to direct assistance and valuable SFA resources. You may call us Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET at 646-878-0301. A larger Member Success Team to ensure you can talk with a real person when you call. Expanded education efforts at the Fancy Food Shows and beyond. ➤ For example, we recently hosted our popular Basics: The Business of Specialty Food education program from the Fancy Food Shows as a stand- alone event in Houston, with another one to be offered in the fall. This September in Chicago, we'll hold a one-day Business Summit focused on Sales and Marketing. Leading experts in strategic marketing, brand positioning, data-driven selling, and maximizing profit will share their expertise. Several new service provider partners to connect you to important business services with exclusive SFA member benefits. We also want to involve SFA members from across the industry in all that we do. The Governance Committee of our board is currently accepting nominations for volunteer leaders to serve both the SFA and the Specialty Food Foundation. Serving as a volunteer leader is an opportunity to guide the Association, do social good through the Foundation, or develop programs that contribute to member success through service on the committees and Industry Work Groups. It's our goal that, through the recruitment and nomination of new directors, committee, and Industry Work Group members, that SFA's leadership will grow to represent the diversity of SFA's membership. For information on serving in a volunteer leadership position, please see our website—specialtyfood.com. Thank you for your ongoing support of the SFA. We look forward to hearing from you soon and seeing you at an upcoming event. Remember, the Summer Fancy Food Show will run from June 28 to 30 in New York—you won't want to miss it! Phil Kafarakis President, Specialty Food Association Follow me @PresidentSFA

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