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NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Specialty Food Association (SFA) has chosen its honorees for the 2019 Leadership Awards. This year's winners are:

• CITIZENSHIP: Lisa Curtis, Kuli Kuli Foods, Oakland, CA – Curtis's vision led to her company using the leaves of moringa trees to improve the lives of women in West Africa
• VISION: Patrick Mateer, Seal the Seasons, Chapel Hill, NC – Mateer founded the company to work with smaller farmers and make local food available year round
• BUSINESS LEADERSHIP: Miyoko Schinner, Miyoko's, Petaluma, CA – Schinner pioneered the plant-based cheese revolution with her use of technology

"We are proud of the great work being done across the specialty food industry. We continue to positively impact, not just the food system, but our communities and world as well," said Phil Kafarakis, president of the Specialty Food Association. "From farm to shelf, domestically to internationally, the three entrepreneurs we will honor are great examples of our organizational vision in action: 'Shaping the Future of Food.' We are excited to share their stories and recognize their achievements."

The awards will be presented during SFA's Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco at a special ceremony on Sunday, January 13, 5:00-6:00 pm. A reception will follow the awards ceremony.

Nominations were made by SFA members and influencers in the specialty food industry. Honorees were selected from a slate of 30 candidates. The Leadership Award judges were association member-peers serving on the SFA Recognition Committee.

Additional information about the winners can be found here.

Press Registration
The Winter Fancy Food Show is a trade-only event. The Specialty Food Association provides complimentary press badges to qualified media. Learn more and register.

About the Specialty Food Association
The Specialty Food Association is a thriving community of food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs. Established in 1952 in New York, the not-for-profit trade association provides its 3,800 members in the U.S. and abroad with resources, knowledge and connections to champion and nurture their companies in an always-evolving marketplace. The Association 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.

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SOURCE Specialty Food Association