Nasft To Honor Leaders In Specialty Food Industry With New Award

The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc., (NASFT) announces its first annual Leadership Awards to honor outstanding contributions by individuals to the specialty food industry.
The NASFT Leadership Awards will recognize NASFT members who have not only advanced food standards in society, but have made a significant impact on society itself through visionary social, economic and environmental efforts.
"The specialty food industry is fueled by the innovative spirit of passionate entrepreneurs," says NASFT President Ann Daw. "As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, it is a great time to recognize those individuals who are making significant contributions through specialty food to the betterment of society."
Nominations for the 2013 NASFT Leadership Awards will be accepted through Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. The awards will be presented at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. The show takes place Jan. 20 - 22, 2013.
Honorees will demonstrate that they have raised the bar on ethics, professionalism, transparency and collegiality within the specialty food trade; pioneered innovative products, practices and business models, and advanced food standards and the positive role food can play in impacting society.
There are three award categories:

CITIZENSHIP
Individual has improved the lives of people and communities by advancing environmental and social sustainability knowledge and practices and/or making exceptional contributions of financial, personal and other resources against a chosen issue or issues, such as hunger relief or literacy.

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
Individual has advanced best practices in the food industry across the spectrum of workforce issues to create economic opportunity and improve the quality of life (on and off-the-job) for food industry personnel.

VISION
Individual has pioneered new approaches, innovative products and business models that have set in motion positive change and progress (e.g., in sourcing, design, production, packaging, marketing, distribution, etc.).
Nominations may be made by NASFT members themselves, or others, and can be made for the same individual in more than one award category. More information and entry forms are available at specialtyfood.com/leadershipawards. All submissions will be judged by a panel of specialty food professionals and industry influencers.
About the NASFT
The NASFT is celebrating its 60th anniversary. It is a not-for-profit trade association established in 1952 to foster commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. Today there are more than 2,900 members in the U.S. and abroad. The NASFT's website for consumers, foodspring.com, provides an insider's look at specialty foods and the companies, food entrepreneurs and artisans behind them. For more information on the NASFT and its Fancy Food Shows, go to specialtyfood.com
The History of Specialty Food
To mark its 60th Anniversary, the NASFT has created "A Visual Feast," a detailed history of specialty food, major culinary milestones and the innovators behind them. See it at www.specialtyfood.com/avisualfeast.