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.
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/567722
Association Executive Reappointed to USDA Advisory Committee Ron Tanner, vice president of philan- thropy, government, and industry rela- tions at the Specialty Food Association, has been reappointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Processed Foods. ATAC, made up of 29 food industry execu- tives, counsels the U.S. government on trade relations and deals, advising on topics such as labeling, import restrictions, and tar- iffs. The committee also receives weekly updates on government trade-related activities. Tanner has served on the committee since 2004. In his position, he acts as a voice for small businesses, advocat- ing for specialty food companies as trade negotiations take place and keeping the Specialty Food Association's 3,000+ members abreast of those deals. Tanner notes that he enjoys hearing about various aspects of trade and food all over the world and about how different negotiations are happening, and adds that he appreciates establishing connections with the other groups that make up the committee, such as the Organic Trade Association and Grocery Manufacturers Association. Tanner's position on the committee runs through June 15, 2019.—Meghan Nayyar association news PRESS EVENT HIGHLIGHTS 2015 SOFI FINALISTS AND WINNERS On July 15 the Specialty Food Association hosted a bustling press event in its Midtown New York City offce recognizing the 2015 sof Award winners. The event featured all 33 winning products, courtesy of their producers, giving members of the press the opportunity to taste the best in specialty food while mingling and chatting with industry peers and win- ning producers in attendance. Five sof-winning producers shared their sto- ries and refections on their newly prized products. They included Louisa Conrad and Lucas Farrell, the young couple behind Big Picture Farm; 91-year- old Earl Fultz, the co-founder of cHarissa and his partner Jeri Woodhouse; Amanda Cooper, Coop's Microcreamery; Forbes Foster, Steve's Ice Cream; and Jeff and Jen Martin, Pipsnacks. Nearly 40 journalists from top media outlets attended the event, including The Wall Street Journal, CBS, Food Network magazine, Associated Press, Supermarket News, Huffngton Post, and others. —M.N. To learn more about this year's sof Awards competition, turn to p. 105. Specialty Food Gets Social Check out and follow our new Association Twitter handles: @SFANews: Get the top industry headlines from Specialty Food News right in your Twitter feed, plus be the first to know about new exclusive online content. @SFACommunity: Follow updates from our new community of industry professionals—the SFA members-only online Solution Center—to find expert advice, share your own wisdom, and network and collaborate with like-minded peers. @SpecialtyFoodFn: The Twitter account for the Specialty Food Foundation, dedicated to developing and supporting tangible, lasting solutions to hunger and food recovery, and amplifying the innovation and passion of the specialty food industry. And, as always, keep following @craftcarejoy for the latest from the Specialty Food Association and to make the most of your membership.—M.N. PHOTOS: LOUISE KRAMER 24 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE specialtyfood.com