Rockland, Maine (May 15, 2024) – Bixby Chocolate Organic Belize 70% Dark Chocolate Bar has won the Gold Award in the Chocolate as part of the Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) 2024 sofi™ Awards, a top honor in the $207-billion specialty food industry. This is Bixby Chocolate’s 8th sofi Award win!
“sofi Gold Award winners have accomplished something really extraordinary,” said SFA President Bill Lynch, “which is that they’ve risen to the top of incredibly competitive categories. Every year, we see a flood of superstar specialty food products submit for soficonsideration–those that earn top marks from our judges really are the best of the best.”
Organic Belize 70% Dark Chocolate Bar was selected by specialty food experts, buyers, and media as the top Chocolate product, alongside Gold Award winners in 49 total categories. Products are judged on taste, including flavor, appearance, texture, and aroma, ingredient quality, and innovation. All tastings are anonymous and are held at the Rutgers Food Innovation Center.
“We are honored that Organic Belize 70% Dark Chocolate Bar has won a sofi Gold Award,” says Kate McAleer, owner of Bixby Chocolate. “As entrepreneurs, we are always looking for ways to know that our product is appreciated. This is one of the ultimate stamps of approval and we’re very grateful.” Organic Belize 70% Dark Chocolate Bar is found atBixbyChocolate.com, The Meadow, and other retailers.
The sofi Awards are open to members of the SFA, and have been given each year since 1972. Winners will be showcased at the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show, running June 23-25, at the Javits Center in New York City, and celebrated at the first-ever sofi Awards Gala on June 24. Open only to the trade, the Summer Fancy Food Show is specialty food’s premier product discovery event. For more information, visit specialtyfood.com.
About Bixby Chocolate
Bixby Chocolate was founded in 2011 by Kate and Donna McAleer. Located in Rockland, Maine, the company’s philosophy about making craft chocolate is to delight and create joy with our products. Using organic and natural ingredients and craft methods, the company’s inspiration and focus is creating delicious chocolates that bring joy to all. Future plansinclude new product innovations. More information can be found at www.bixbychocolate.com
About the Specialty Food Association
The Specialty Food Association (SFA) was founded in 1952 and is the not-for-profit trade association of the $207-billion specialty food industry. Representing more than 3,800 businesses worldwide, SFA champions industry participation and success for a diverse community of makers, buyers, importers, distributors, and service providers by developing resources, information, education, and events that celebrate innovation and inclusivity. SFA owns and operates the Fancy Food Shows as well as the sofi™ Awards, which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage annually since 1972. The SFA also produces the e-newsletter SFA News Daily, the Trendspotter Panel annual predictions and Fancy Food Show reports, the State of the Specialty Food Industry Report, Today’s Specialty Food Consumer research, and the Spill & Dish podcast. Find out more onlineand connect with SFA on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
