The Specialty Food Association (SFA) announced a significant expansion of its industry influence through new collaborations with the Good Food Foundation (GFF) and the Natural Products Consulting Institute (NPCI), founded by Bob Burke. This integration unifies three established forces in the specialty food sector, marking a defining moment in the SFA’s evolution into a year-round resource dedicated to innovation, education, and connection for food makers and buyers of all sizes.
By bringing the programs and expertise of the Good Food Foundation and NPCI into the SFA family, the organization is enhancing its ability to empower the entrepreneurs, creators, and retailers who are actively shaping the future of specialty food. The alignment is designed to advance a shared dedication to the craft of specialty food, fostering sustained opportunities to elevate and educate the industry for years to come.
“This collaboration builds on our mission to champion and connect the specialty food community,” said Bill Lynch, President of the Specialty Food Association. “By joining forces with the Good Food Foundation and NPCI, we are working to ensure that makers, retailers, and innovators have access to the necessary tools, community, and inspiration to succeed in an evolving marketplace.”
The Good Food Foundation, a non-profit organization known for championing responsibly produced and delicious food, has run initiatives like the Good Food Awards and Good Food Mercantiles since 2011. Sally Rogers, President of the Good Food Foundation, commented on the future: “The Good Food community has always been about celebrating craftsmanship, sustainability, and connection. Collaborating with SFA allows us to preserve that spirit while opening new doors for values-driven makers across the country.”
Bob Burke, founder of the Natural Products Consulting Institute and a long-time volunteer and mentor within the SFA community, expressed enthusiasm for the new structure. “I’m excited that this new alignment will help sustain and grow programs that directly benefit the members of an organization I’ve supported for years,” Burke stated.
The collaboration will see its initial key milestones at upcoming industry events. The winter Good Food Mercantile is set to co-locate with SFA’s Winter FancyFaire in San Diego on January 11, 2026. Further integration will continue at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City in June, which will host an East Coast Good Food Mercantile and the announcement of the 2026 Good Food Award winners. The distinct identities of the Good Food Awards and the sofi Awards, both respected industry honors, will continue to recognize products, creating new synergies between the established programs. This alliance signals a new era for the specialty food movement, defined by collaboration and a commitment to elevating the passion, creativity, and impact of food businesses everywhere.
