Arielle Feger

The SFA is hosting a webinar on Thursday, August 5 at 1 p.m. ET. Join Jessica Cohen, as she provides the inside track to landing organic placements onscreen, behind-the-scenes and on social media in today's top movies and television shows. Jessica will reveal who's who in film and television production and share tips and secrets of how to get ongoing placements for your brand. This webinar is free for members and $19 for non-members. Register now.

Join us today as we speak with SFA President, Bill Lynch, on Instagram live at 1 p.m. ET. Tune in here: http://bit.ly/SFAIGTV #SpecialtyFood #ShapetheFutureofFood

SFA’s Maker Prep series is an online educational program designed for new startups to provide them with the building blocks and knowledge base they need to do business in the specialty food industry. The first webinar of the series will take place Thursday, July 29 at 1 p.m. Join specialty food veteran Ian Kelleher as he takes you through the initial information you’ll need to decide on and form relationships with distributors. We’ll cover what distributors do, ways of finding a distributor, managing a distributor, expectations on both sides of the relationship, and the distributor life cycle. We’ll also answer your questions. Register now. This is the first webinar of a three webinar series. All webinars are free for SFA members. If you’re a non-member, you can purchase the 3-webinar series for $50 here, or buy a la carte for $19 each.

The SFA is hosting an In the Know Webinar on Thursday, July 22 at 1 p.m. ET. Is your website accessible to individuals with visual or hearing impairments? This is a critical question for any business operating an e-commerce website. Many courts across the country have broadly interpreted Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act to require that websites meet minimum accessibility standards. Join attorney Sara T. Schneider as she provides guidance on best practices for bringing your website into compliance and mitigating ADA liability. This webinar is free for members and $19 for non-members. Register now.

The SFA is hosting a webinar on Thursday, July 15 at 1 p.m. ET. Promoting specialty food products on Instagram, Tik Tok, Pinterest, and Facebook has become one of the most effective ways to expand market reach. Reviews from influencers that reflect the values and views of a brand’s target market can be highly persuasive and effective in growing product sales, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) expects influencer marketing to be a 15 billion dollar industry by 2022. Join attorney Jeni Lamb Rogers as she discusses recent Federal Trade Commission enforcement actions, the kinds of relationships that require disclosure, and how to ensure that you are giving proper guidance to social media influencers to reduce your risk of FTC enforcement. This webinar is free for members and $19 for non-members. Register now.

The newly released summer edition of Specialty Food magazine features findings from the Specialty Food Association’s State of the Specialty Food Industry research, the 2021 sofi Award-winning specialty food products, and a Q&A with retailers who are fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. More highlights from the summer issue: Specialty Food Maker: This section, that includes topics and business news to help producers and suppliers build their operations and stay prepared for challenges, features “5 Steps to Enacting a Recall,” “Maker Q&A: Industry Irritations,” and “Regulatory Update: FDA’s Food Traceability Rule and its Effect on Specialty Food.” Category Spotlight: “A Mixed Bag” Chips, pretzels, and snacks with interesting ingredients, unconventional bases, and bold flavors are standing out among a crowded field. Buyers’ Picks: “Diverse Food Brands” Specialty Food asked retailers for their picks of popular products from women-, veteran-, and/or BIPOC-owned businesses. Cheese Focus: “What’s New in European Cheeses” Leading importers share which cheeses they are most excited about. Start reading now.

The SFA has released its State of the Specialty Food Industry, 2021-2022 Edition report. This annual research helps you make data-driven decisions for your business with insights on: Specialty sales in brick-and-mortar retail, online, and foodservice Dollar and unit retail sales data of where the market is today—and opportunities and challenges it faces Top-selling and fastest-growing categories NEW: sales data by subcategories Supply chain insights on how the industry is evolving COVID-19’s impact on category sales Tracking and forecasts in 37 key categories Which categories are expected to slow down and ramp up by 2025 Strengths, weaknesses, and innovations for each category Purchase this comprehensive research that explores where the market is today and the opportunities and challenges it faces. The full report is available for purchase in the SFA online Learning Center. SFA members receive a discount. Purchase now.

Join the SFA for a webinar on Thursday, July 8 at 1 p.m. ET. While some businesses have “bootstrapped” their way to success, the other 99 percent have had to learn how to get investors or loans to work toward realizing their dream. This webinar will introduce founders and their teams to the basics of financing a business. You’ll hear from an experienced food investor who will share what she looks for when investing in early stage companies. We’ll touch on clarifying objectives and timeline, determining how much do you need, appropriate funding options at each stage of your business, connecting with and telling your story to investors and banks, and basic ways to think about valuation and deal structure. You’ll also receive a list of useful resources so you can continue learning on your own. This is the first webinar of the series. All webinars are free for SFA members. If you’re a non-member, you can purchase the 3-webinar series for $50 here or buy a la carte for $19 each. Register now.

Join the team behind our annual research as they explore the retail and foodservice sales data of specialty foods and sales forecasts, including analysis and commentary on the continuing impact of COVID-19 on the industry. Bring your questions and engage with this live update on where the specialty food industry is headed. Thursday, June 24 1 p.m. ET This webinar is free for members and $19 for non-members. Register now.

Today, Friday June 11 at 3 p.m. ET, V. Sheree Williams of @cuisinenoir is taking over SFA’s Instagram with Toyin Kolawole, CEO of @iyafoods, Lloyd Vassell, CEO of @arawakfarm and @chefjenniferhillbooker ! Watch here: bit.ly/SFAIGTV #ShapetheFutureofFood #SFAIGTV

In the past two years, consumer class action filings related to Vanilla flavor have increased dramatically. Nationwide litigation has resulted in case law all over the map, with courts taking different positions on the use of vanilla imagery, ingredient declarations, and the application of FDA’s complex flavor and standard of identity regulations. Come learn from attorney Jeni Lamb Rogers about the trends, why large and small companies are at risk, and ways to label your products to reduce your likelihood of receiving a consumer fraud demand letter. Thursday, June 17 1 p.m. ET This webinar is free for members and $19 for non-members. Register now.

Retailers and manufacturers alike are under intense pressure to keep up with changing consumer behavior, growing competition, and preparing for unplanned volume surges. The need to stay relevant and indispensable to consumers couldn't be greater. Join Stefan Kalb, CEO and founder of Shelf Engine and Sam Mogannam, founder of Bi-Rite Market to learn about innovative partnerships that increase profits and free up cash to allow for greater customer-centric service. Tuesday, June 15 3 p.m. ET This webinar is free for SFA members and $19 for non-members. Register now.

In this month's #TheDigestif, we're covering topics like Fancy Food Show 2021, Instagram Live with Cuisine Noir Magazine (June 11, 3pm ET), the Community Hub, and much more! Check your inbox for the Monthly Digest! #FancyFoodShow #StaySAFFEtogether #SpecialtyFood

At every event, SFA’s Trendspotter panel of industry experts explore the aisles, seeking out patterns and predicting shifts in food and beverage categories. Join SFA Trendspotter Panel members V. Sheree Williams, Publisher, Cuisine Noir, and Kara Nielsen, Director of Food and Drink, WGSN, as they discuss the reverberations of these changes and the trends that will dominate 2021 and beyond. You’ll have the chance to chat with the trendspotters and ask your questions. Thursday, June 10 1 p.m. ET This webinar is free for members and $19 for non-members. Register now.

Join attorney Sophia Castillo, Downey Brand LLP, as she explains the current status of Prop. 65 law as it relates to metals, specifically lead. Learn why fruits, vegetables, seafood, and seaweed are being targeted, how to screen, and strategies to implement upon receiving a Notice. Bring your questions, so Sophia can help you embark on your path forward. Thursday, June 3 1 p.m. ET This webinar is free for members and $19 for non-members. Register now.

Join Jim Wisner of Wisner Marketing, noted US retail and FMCG consultant and researcher, for this special webinar to capitalize on the convergence of specialty foods and private brands at U.S. food retailers. Hear the latest consumer and retailer trends driving private brand growth in the US, know what to consider before entering the private brands arena, assess whether private brands are the right strategy for your company, and determine the best paths to success. Thursday, May 27 1 p.m. ET This webinar is free for members and $19 for non-members. Register now.

Today’s #SpecialtyFoodLIVE lineup: 12pm ET: Trendspotters Take on Specialty Food LIVE!™ May 2:15pm ET: Instagram Live: Specialty Food LIVE! Trendspotter, Denisse Sotto #ShapetheFutureofFood #SpecialtyFood

A great review from a consumer or a medical professional about your specialty food product on your website, Instagram, or Facebook account can serve as some of the best marketing for your product out there. Yet, consumer and expert testimonials on Instagram, Facebook, and even LinkedIn are increasingly showing up in FDA Warning Letters and can place you in violation of FTC advertising guidelines. What is your role and what are your responsibilities in creating, using, and monitoring comments and testimonials from your consumers and experts? Join us for a discussion with Attorney Jeni Lamb Rogers as she discusses your legal responsibilities. Wednesday, May 19 1 p.m. ET This webinar is free for SFA members and $19 for non-members. Register now.

✔Today's #SpecialtyFoodLIVE Lineup: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Foodservice Update: The Mega Trends 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - How Food and Beverage Brands Can Win at Retail Fulfillment

For today's Specialty Food LIVE! educational session, join a panel of retailers and e-tailers to get the scoop about buying in 2021 at 12pm ET. More show information here. #SpecialtyFoodLIVE

Congratulations to the 2021 Product of the Year, Maine Shore Dinner for 2, Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. & 2021 New Product of the Year, Regal Double Manuka Wood Roasted Salmon, Regal New Zealand King Salmon #SpecialtyFoodLIVE #sofiAwards #sofiStory

#SpecialtyFoodLIVE kicks off today! At 12 p.m., get an exclusive preview of this year's State of the Specialty Food Industry report, which will be released in early June. All education sessions will be recorded for access post-event.

You're invited! The 2021 sofi Products of the Year Announcement is on Tuesday, May 11 at 10:45 a.m. ET at #SpecialtyFoodLIVE. All are welcome to attend! Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://specialtyfood.zoom.us/j/98022893631 Passcode: SFLIVE

It's a celebration! Congratulations to our 2021 sofi Awards winners. Click here to see all the 2021 winners. Are you a #sofiAwards winner? Tell us about your #sofiStory in the comments below!

There is still time to register for SFA's The Basics Live, taking place virtually tomorrow, Tuesday, May 4 and Wednesday, May 5, 12:00 pm - 5:00 p.m. ET. Learn about key topics like pricing, selling, understanding the specialty food consumer, trade promotions, and much more. The price for SFA members is $99 and $199 for non-members. Register here.