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The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade is a not-for-profit business trade association established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry.

The NASFT is an international organization composed of domestic and foreign manufacturers, importers, distributors, brokers, retailers, restaurateurs, caterers and others in the specialty foods business. The organization has more than 2,500 current member companies throughout the U.S. and overseas.

The NASFT's activities and programs include:

• International Fancy Food & Confection Shows®: The premier international food trade events in the US, the three Fancy Food Shows annually connect 54,000 motivated buyers with 180,000 specialty food products

  • The Summer NASFT Fancy Food Shows® are held annually on the East Coast.

  • The Winter NASFT Fancy Food Shows® are held annually on the West Coast.

  • The Spring NASFT Fancy Food Show® is held at McCormick Place in Chicago.

• Specialty Food Magazine: Specialty Food Magazine delivers actionable information that retailers, distributors, and other quality-driven professionals can put to work to improve their businesses. By delivering meaningful information to the marketplace—and, as the official publication of the Fancy Food Shows, Specialty Food Magazine provides an ideal advertising vehicle for specialty food marketers to reach over 30,000 members of the buying trade.

• Specialty Food News: The daily email newsletter reaching more than 45,000 members of the trade. Providing a direct, actionable link for readers to reach advertiser websites.

• Foodspring.com, for the Food Adventurist: NASFT's consumer site, bringing specialty foods to a world of engaged, adventuresome consumers. Includes Specialty Food Market, an online marketplace that offers consumers high-quality specialty products manufactured by the NASFT's members.

• Educational Programs: Seminars, white papers and educational programs which provide practical business know-how and networking opportunities.

• Annual Sofi Awards: Held each summer to honor truly outstanding specialty foods. The competition, judged by specialty food retailers, is open to all members of the NASFT.

• Diversity Program: The NASFT is committed to advancing a diverse food culture in an evolving world of specialty food with its Diversity Program. The program aims to develop and strengthen minority-owned companies by providing business-building tools, including research, education and mentoring. U.S.-based specialty food companies with African-American, Caribbean, Hispanic, Latin American, Eastern European, Middle Eastern or Asian ownership qualify to apply to the NASFT as a participant in the Diversity Program.

  For more information on the Diversity Program and certification, please click here or contact Anthere Motayne, membership director, at 646.878.0119.