The continuing COVID-19 pandemic is testing the resources and emergency plans of food and beverage processors across the industry. In this Q&A, Phil Kafarakis, president of the Specialty Food Association, addresses some of the challenges being faced by processors and how they are responding.

Racking up record sales of $120.5 billion, specialty foods like cheese and refrigerated meat grew in 2015.

 Researchers say big food companies must change their ways to meet consumer demand and reverse negative perceptions of the industry itself. 

 Raspberry Rhubarb Goat Milk Caramels from Fat Toad Farm in Vermont was named the most outstanding new specialty food product of 2015 at the recent Summer Fancy Food Show in New York. The product was one of 33 sofi—specialty outstanding food innovation—Award winners who were honored at the annual competition that recognizes excellence in all specialty food categories. 

Vegan hot fudge from Seattle, Wagyu beef jerky from New Mexico, and Grilled Olives from central Italy, are just a few of the 125 products named as finalists in the 43rd annual Specialty Foods Association’s sofi—“Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation”—Awards which will honor the most outstanding specialty foods and beverages of 2015.

Consumers of specialty foods are spending more money on products this year, but the millennial generation is leading growth as younger consumers are dropping more money for specialty snacks and on-the-go meals, according to new research from the Specialty Food Association.