Specialty Food Association Unveils Picks for Holiday Food Gifts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Specialty Food Association Unveils Picks for Holiday Gifts for Food Fans
Chocolate, Cheese and Baked Goods Top Shoppers' Lists

NEW YORK, N.Y. (Nov. 12, 2014) – The Specialty Food Association kicks off the 2014 holiday shopping season with a tempting selection of sweet and savory treats for the food lover on your list.

From chocolate cayenne cookies with bacon to classic buttery shortbread, this year’s gift picks reflect the innovation and high standards that specialty foodmakers bring to the products they create. Each pick is a winner of a sofi™ Award, which honors the best of the best in specialty food from members of the Specialty Food Association.

This year’s list includes nine sweet and nine spicy gifts, plus a can’t-resist goat cheese.

Sweet Gifts:
•    Handmade Hot Fudge from Coop's MicroCreamery, $9.99
•    Malted Cocoacakes from Effie's Homemade, $5.99
•    Heritage Shortbread Tin from Heritage Shortbread, $19
•    Molten Chocolate Cake from Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery, $15 for two
•    Coconut Macaroons from Klara's Gourmet Cookies, $4.99
•    Duck Fat Caramels from Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co., $17.99
•    Cranberry Pumpkin Seed Bittersweet Toffee Tiles from Poco Dolce Confections, $20
•    Tonewood Grade B Maple Square from Tonewood, $16.99
•    Peanut Brittle from Zingerman's Candy Manufactory, $4.99
 
Spicy Gifts:
•    Spicy Catalunya Bar from Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier, $5.99
•    Lentil Rice Crispbread from East Hampton Gourmet Foods, Inc., $11
•    Chocolate Cayenne Cookies from Grey Ghost Bakery, $9
•    Hot Smoky Barbeque Sauce from Lillie's Q Barbeque Sauces & Rubs, $8
•    Organic Hot Chorizo from Olli Salumeria Americana, $10.99
•    Smokra from Rick's Picks, $9.99
•    Spiced Winter Red Tea from Tea Pigs, $9.99
•    Downton Christmas Tea from The Republic of Tea, $12
•    Bijou from Vermont Creamery, $9.99 for two
•    Cranberry Saffron Vinegar from Wozz Kitchen Creations, $11.50

New consumer research from the Specialty Food Association and Mintel shows that chocolate, cheese and baked goods top the list of food gifts this holiday season. “The great news for gift recipients is that creativity is at an all-time high within these categories, and beyond there are more treats than ever, like handcrafted charcuterie, for the food adventurer in quest of new tastes,” says Louise Kramer, public relations director for the Association.

About the Specialty Food Association
The Specialty Food Association is a thriving community of food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs who bring craft, care and joy to the distinctive foods they produce. Established in 1952 in New York, the not-for-profit trade association provides its 3,000 members in the U.S. and abroad the tools, knowledge and connections to champion and nurture their companies in an always-evolving marketplace. The Association (formerly the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc.) owns and produces the Winter and Summer Fancy Food Shows, and presents the sofi™ Awards honoring excellence in specialty food. Learn more at specialtyfood.com.

Media Contact
Louise Kramer, Public Relations Director, 646.878.0130, lkramer@specialtyfood.com