New York, NY— The 2017 winners of the Specialty Food Association Lifetime Achievement Awards have been announced. These Association members, along with many others, have contributed to the growth and sustainability of the current $127 billion specialty food industry.

The stated purpose of SFA’s Lifetime Achievement Award is "to identify and celebrate the actions and special qualities of those persons widely recognized as having grown the industry, improved the Association, inspired companies and nurtured individuals."

The Winners of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award are:
  • Harold and Lorie Alexander, Kopper's Chocolate
  • Ted Koryn, Liberty Foods
  • Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig, Zingerman's Community of Businesses
  • Jerry Santucci, Santucci Associates Inc.
  • Winston Stona, Busha Browne Company
"This year's class of lifetime achievement winners should inspire all of us within the specialty food industry," said Phil Kafarakis, president, Specialty Food Association in a press release.  "These individuals include a couple that introduced panned chocolates, an individual who brought jerk seasoning from Jamaica to the U.S., and a retailer who defines that best of specialty food. The hard work that they've put into their companies and the advances they've made in the industry have helped pave the way for the amazing growth and excitement for all of us."

A ceremony will be held at this year’s Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City to honor the winners of the awards. A trade only event, the Summer Fancy Food Show runs from June 25-27, 2017.