In January 2025, the Specialty Food Association held its Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas. This exciting event showcased nearly 1,100 companies and thousands of specialty food products over three days. But the heartwarming highlight was the food rescue operation at the show’s end, aimed at helping local communities.
Exhibitors generously donated over 15,000 pounds of leftover specialty food and drinks to Three Square Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in Southern Nevada. This food bank serves several counties, including Clark, Lincoln, Esmeralda, and Nye, providing essential support to those in need.
Jennifer Carney, the Director of Tradeshow and Event Operations for SFA, shared her thoughts: “Ending the show with a food rescue is meaningful for us and our exhibitors. Nevada has been a wonderful host for our events over the years, and giving back to the community is an honor.”
The donations included a wide variety of foods: plant-based items, meats, cheeses, snacks, breads, specialty drinks, and much more. This abundant generosity helped provide more than 18,000 meals to those in need.
Beth Martino, President and CEO of Three Square, expressed her gratitude. She noted that with one in seven people in the community facing food insecurity, support from organizations like the Specialty Food Association is crucial. “Their donation will significantly aid our efforts,” she said.
Looking ahead, the SFA will hold its Summer Fancy Food Show from June 29 to July 1 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Like the winter event, this upcoming show will also include efforts for food rescue, continuing the commitment to helping those in need.
Founded in 1952, the Specialty Food Association represents a $207 billion industry with over 4,000 member businesses. The Association promotes success among makers, buyers, and distributors by providing resources and hosting events that foster innovation and inclusivity in the specialty food sector. They hold several events throughout the year, including the Winter and Summer Fancy Food Shows and the sofi Awards, honoring excellence in specialty foods since 1972.
Three Square Food Bank, established in 2007, has distributed over 595 million pounds of food through collaborative efforts with businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers. It’s dedicated to ending hunger in Southern Nevada, striving to create a community where no one goes hungry.
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