Specialty Food Retailers Selected for Top Industry Award

The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. announced the Outstanding Specialty Food Retailers of 2010. They are: Bi-Rite Market, San Francisco; Hubbell & Hudson Market & Bistro, The Woodlands, Texas; Marion Street Cheese Market, Oak Park, Ill.; Roche Bros.,Wellesley Hills, Mass.; Spec's Wine, Spirits and Finer Foods, Houston, and The Sandy Butler, Fort Myers, Fla.

These outstanding retailers were selected by a panel of specialty food experts who met at NASFT offices recently to evaluate submissions from an impressive list of nominees. The winners range from a chain established more than half a century ago to a single store opened in late 2008. All show a passion for food and dedication to customer service.

 "The retailers honored this year are stand-outs in our industry. They reflect day in and day out the high standards, creativity and business savvy required for success in specialty food retailing today," said Ann Daw, president of the NASFT.  The awards will be presented at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York on June 28 at a special ceremony hosted by noted executive chef Dan Barber, a leader in the local and artisan food movement.

Nominations for Outstanding Specialty Food Retailers were made by members of the NASFT. Retailers with the most nominations were asked to submit information including a fact sheet, store photographs, press kits, media coverage, menus, newsletters, training manuals, promotional materials, and letters and comments from customers. The judges, including previous Outstanding Retailer winners, manufacturers, distributors, and journalists, met at NASFT offices in New York to evaluate the entries and select winners.

Honorable mentions went to: Butterfield Market, New York, N.Y.; Chocolaterie, Nyack, N.Y.; Feast!, Charlottesville, Va.; Hyde Park Gourmet Food & Wine, Cincinnati; McGinnis Sisters Specialty Foods Store, Pittsburgh; The Chocolate Truffle, Reading, Mass.; The Pasta Shop, Berkeley, Calif.