Good Food Awards Winners 2012 Announced

The second annual Good Food Awards recognized 99 tasty, authentic and responsible craft food products from 26 states in an awards ceremony on January 13, 2012 at the San Francisco Ferry Building. The crafters, their food communities, judges and media attended the standing room only, 400-person gathering. The evening was a celebration of regional diversity and momentum, energy and collaboration surrounding a maturing artisan food movement. American food producers were honored for enhancing the country's agricultural landscape by strengthening their own local food communities, and creating food and drink that epitomize American craftsmanship.

"Back in the 80's, I never could have dreamed how huge the change was going to be," said keynote speaker Ruth Reichl, Editorial Consultant for Gilt Taste. "We now live in a country that has the best produce in the world; we are reclaiming our edible heritage. This is our chance to thank the tireless efforts of artisan producers for giving us the America we once dreamed we could have."

View the Good Food Awards Winners 2012

Organic Farmer Casey Havre of Lagier Ranch gave the opening remarks about the economic power of craft food producers to support farms. In each category, the winners chose one of their own to accept the award on their behalf and the theme of solidarity with their peers rang true in each speech, culminating in an announcement of a new Good Food Guild by awards Founder Sarah Weiner:

"You are nearly 100 strong, but you represent many more: nearly 1000 entrants pledged to the Good Food Awards criteria this year...With an eye towards supporting and moving the entire food system forward, with all of you leading the way, I am thrilled to announce tonight the formalization of a movement to unite, share, mentor, distinguish and support each other as good food businesses."

The following day, many thousands more took part in the celebration of America's food artisans by attending the Good Food Awards Marketplace and new Beer & Spirits Garden. There, they met the winners, tasted and bought 54 of the award winning foods and drinks, leaving many of the award winners sold out. Whole Foods Market of Northern California handed out a list of the nearly two dozen winning products that can be found in their stores, and Gilt Taste debuted a new Good Food Awards section of their online marketplace.

"This is the best tasting we have ever done," commented Caitlin McCarthy-Garcia of the winning roaster Equator Coffee & Teas. "People are so interested in hearing all about the coffee, rather than just tasting and moving on."

The second annual Good Food Awards offers a platform for producers to take their craft to the next level, providing real business benefits and a network of like-minded peers in the form of the Good Food Guild. For many, the recognition of their craft and philosophy is long overdue. The movement is growing as retailers and the industry recognize and support the Good Food Award winners.

SPONSORS

The Good Food Awards would not have been possible without the generous support of its many partners. We would like to specially thank the Good Food Awards Presenting Sponsors Whole Foods and Gilt Taste, as well as Williams Sonoma, Bi-Rite Market, Foodzie, DPEM, the San Francisco Ferry Building and CUESA.

KEY LINKS

Good Food Awards Winners: http://bit.ly/GFAwinners2012

Good Food Awards website: www.goodfoodawards.org
>Ceremony and Marketplace Gallery: http://bit.ly/gfaphotos2012

ABOUT GOOD FOOD AWARDS

The Good Food Awards celebrate the kind of food we all want to eat: tasty, authentic, and responsible. Now, in its second year, awards are given to winners in eight categories: beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolat