July 7, 2023
Thirteen Virginia Specialty Food Businesses Exhibited at the 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show
Clark + Hopkins recognized with its third sofi Award
Contact: Michael Wallace
Thirteen Virginia companies recently exhibited at the 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center in New York City. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) hosted a Virginia State Pavilion within the trade show to highlight Virginia’s Finest companies exhibiting at the Summer Fancy Food Show. In addition, VDACS Commissioner Joseph Guthrie and agency staff coordinated networking opportunities with domestic and international industry buyers and distribution companies for the 13 exhibiting Virginia specialty food companies.
“I am pleased to see the array of Virginia specialty foods and beverages exhibiting at this year’s Summer Fancy Food Show. This is a great opportunity to help connect these Virginia businesses to key buyers representing grocery stores, restaurants, markets, and gift shops,” said Commissioner Guthrie. “Congratulations to Clark + Hopkins on being recognized as being the best in peppered sauces and winning their third sofi Award.”
For more than 50 years, the Specialty Food Association has honored the best in the trade through the prestigious sofi Award, which is awarded during the Summer Fancy Food Show. This year, Clark + Hopkins, a Virginia based artisan pepper sauce business, was recognized as a 2023 sofi Award gold winner in the hot sauce category. The winning sauce features Berbere, an aromatic curry flown in from Ethiopia, paired with habaneros and jalapenos. This is the third sofi Award for Clark + Hopkins, as they were previously recognized for their Assam Pepper Sauce in 2019 and Laos Pepper Sauce in 2020.
The following is a list of the Virginia companies that exhibiting in this year’s trade show.
Belmont Peanuts of Southampton, Inc., Capron, Va.
www.belmontpeanuts.com
Products: Gourmet Virginia peanuts and peanut products
Berry Frozen Yogurt LLC, Chantilly, Va.
www.fyberry.com
Products: Probiotic frozen yogurt mix for frozen yogurt and yogurt smoothie
Blue Crab Bay Company, Melfa, Va.
www.bluecrabbay.com
Products: Alcoholic beverages and cocktail mixers, snacks, seasoning and spices.
Clark + Hopkins, Middletown, Va.
www.clarkandhopkins.com
Products: Artisan pepper sauces and Bloody Mary mixes
Disturbingly Delicious Foods, Falls Church, Va.
www.disturbinglydeliciousfoods.com
Products: Plant-based sauces, dips, spreads, breakfast drinks, snacks and more
Firehook Bakery, Chantilly, Va.
www.firehook.com
Products: Mediterranean baked crackers and sweet and baked cookies
MOTHER shrub, Richmond, Va.
www.mothershrub.com
Products: Shrubs for spritzes, elixirs and cocktails
PastryBase, LLC, Richmond, Va.
www.pastrybase.com
Products: Vegan and gluten-free baking mixes and baking gift box kits
Southern Flavoring Company, Bedford, Va.
www.southernflavoring.com
Products: Seasoning and spices
The Grain Free Baker, Leesburg, Va.
www.thegrainfreebaker.com
Products: Allergen free cookie & brownie baking mixes
The Virginia Diner, Inc., Wakefield, Va.
www.vadiner.com
Products: Specialty nuts, confections, and gourmet products
The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, Toano, Va.
www.thepeanutshop.com
Products: Gourmet peanuts, chocolates and more
The Perfect Pita, Inc., Springfield, Va.
www.theperfectpita.com
Products: Mediterranean style snacks, dips and more
Many of these companies are participants in the VDACS’ Virginia’s Finest trademark program. The Virginia’s Finest program identifies, differentiates, and promotes top-quality, Virginia-produced and processed specialty food and beverage products.
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