The Specialty Food Association announced the winners of its Leadership, Hall of Fame, and Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2025. Collectively known as the “People Awards,” these three programs recognize individuals who have shaped and are currently shaping the $207-billion specialty food industry.

This year, the Specialty Food Association has adjusted the categories for the Leadership Awards, making room for two new award types: Next Generation Leader, of which there are three winners for 2025, and Volunteer of the Year, recognizing someone who has directly contributed to the Association’s success.

This year’s honorees are: 

2025 Leadership Awards

Equity & Opportunity: Felicia Vieira, Crafted Brand Company

Citizenship: Collette Divitto, Collettey’s Cookie Corp.

Vision & Sustainability: Ayissi Nyembe, EMKAO FOODS

Outstanding Buyer: Holly Long, Whole Foods Market

Next Generation Leader: Caroline McGinley, Gringuita Cookies

Next Generation Leader: Devin Powell, Protein Candy

Next Generation Leader: Rina Perrault, Sun World International

Volunteer of the Year: Sarabjit Sawhney, South Amboy Kitchen, LLC

Click here to learn more about the 2025 Leadership Award winners.
2025 Hall of Fame

Case D. Fischer, Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods, Inc.

Patrick Ford, Bone Suckin’ Sauce

Karta Owens, Associated Buyers, Inc.

Kerry Bamberger, BWI, Inc.

Mitchell Berliner, MeatCrafters, Inc.

Matt Nielsen, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Heather Paul, Specialty Food Association

Norm Jelsma, Milo’s Whole Gourmet, LLC

Click here to get to know the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees.
2025 Lifetime Achievement Awards

Annie Chun, Annie Chun’s, Inc./gimme Health Foods, Inc.

Stephen Broad, Annie Chun’s, Inc./gimme Health Foods, Inc.

Becky Renfro-Borbolla, Renfro Foods, Inc.

Doug Renfro, Renfro Foods, Inc.

Pamela Barefoot, Blue Crab Bay Co.

James Stott, Stonewall Kitchen

Jonathan King, Stonewall Kitchen

Ari Weinzweig, Zingerman’s

Click here to explore the bios for the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award winners.
“One of our most important roles at SFA is celebrating the specialty food industry’s successes, and the people behind them. We’re proud to recognize accomplished leaders each year through our People Awards programs,” said Bill Lynch, SFA President. “This year, with the launch of the Next Generation Leader, and Volunteer of the Year Awards, we’re evolving to reflect today’s SFA. Congratulations and thank you to all the honorees!”

All 2025 honorees will be recognized at a special SFA People Awards ceremony, taking place on Monday, June 30th, at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City and hosted by Jeni Britton, co-founder of Floura and founder of SFA member brand Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.

The Summer Fancy Food Show—June 29-July 1 at NYC’s Javits Center—will showcase thousands of specialty food products from domestic and international exhibitors, educational programming, networking opportunities, and more. Registration for the Show is open now for qualified members of the specialty food trade, industry affiliates, and journalists. For more information, please click here.

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