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Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER?
All Early Bird Entries from February 8, 2024 – March 8, 2024 for the 2024 sofi Awards are $80 per SKU. After March 8, 2024, All Entries for the 2024 sofi Awards are $115 per SKU. Fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.
WHEN CAN I ENTER THE SOFI AWARDS?
The entry period is February 8, 2024 – March 31, 2024. .
WHEN DO I SEND THE PRODUCT SAMPLES?
Ship samples to arrive between March 1, 2024 – April 5, 2024. If your product is perishable: Clearly mark the exterior of the box: "PERISHABLE.". We recommend you send your products so they arrive between Tuesday-Thursday. The Rutgers Food Innovation Center is closed on weekends and will not be open to receive shipments or drop-offs on Saturdays or Sundays. Please send products with an expiration date no earlier than May 24, 2024.  
DO I HAVE TO EXHIBIT AT THE FANCY FOOD SHOW TO ENTER?
No. The sofi Awards are open to all Specialty Food Association members in good standing. If you are interested in becoming a member please click here
HOW WILL THE  PRODUCT OF THE YEAR - FOOD, PRODUCT OF THE YEAR - BEVERAGE, OUTSTANDING NEW PRODUCT, OUTSTANDING CLASSIC AND OUTSTANDING PACKAGING AWARDS BE SELECTED?
  • The five Gold winners with the highest scores across all food categories will be finalists for the Product of the Year—Food award.
  • The five Gold winners with the highest scores across all beverage categories will be the finalists for the Product of the Year—Beverage award
  • The five top-scoring products across all entries that were introduced in the past year (February 28, 2023 – February 1, 2024) will be the finalists for Outstanding New Product award
  • The five top-scoring products across all entries that were introduced at least five years ago (January 1, 2019) will be the finalists for the Outstanding Classic award

All finalists in the above four categories will be tasted on site at the Summer Fancy Food Show by registered buyers.

If you are one of the finalists in these categories, you will be notified by May 10, 2024. Each registered buyer judge will select their top choice in each of the four categories. The products with the most votes in each category will be named the winners.

Outstanding Packaging – A separate judging will be held to identify this award, which applicants can choose to participate in while filling out the sofi entry form.

 

HOW MANY ENTRIES MAY I SUBMIT?
Products must be selling in the U.S. market no later than February 1, 2024. There is no limit to the number of products/SKUs you can submit; each can only compete in one category. You may enter multiple products/SKUs in the same category.  Please note that a product that is entered in different packaging sizes or forms does not qualify the product to be entered in multiple categories.
MY PRODUCT IS NOT QUITE READY FOR SALE. MAY I SUBMIT IT?
No. All entries must be ready for sale. Mock-ups are not accepted.
MAY I ENTER MULTIPLE PRODUCTS FOR THE SAME CATEGORY?
Yes, as long as they are different products/flavors.
IF I HAVE A FOODSERVICE PRODUCT, WHICH CATEGORY SHOULD I ENTER IT IN?
Enter your product in the category it fits best. Due to blind judging, packaging and pricing will not be taken into consideration. Foodservice entries should NOT be sent without their original packaging and all nutritional information must be included.  
DO I NEED TO SEND PRODUCT SAMPLES?
Yes, enough for 15 small tasting samples. Three (3) packages/jars/boxes are usually enough.  A new set of samples must be sent for each category in which the product is entered. Please do not send excess product. Due to safety concerns, shipping box MUST be labeled as PERISHABLE, keep FROZEN or keep REFRIGERATED on the package. Products must have an expiration date of no earlier than May 24, 2024. 
WHERE ARE THE ENTRY FORMS?
Enter online at sofiawards.com.
IF MY PRODUCT NEEDS TO BE PREPARED OR COOKED (E.G. CAKE MIX), SHOULD I SEND PREPARED PRODUCT?
No. RFIC will prepare products according to package instructions.
MAY I SEND FROZEN OR REFRIGERATED PRODUCTS?
Yes. Make sure to clearly mark the exterior of the box “PERISHABLE. Keep FROZEN or REFRIGERATED.”
MAY I SEND PAYMENT SEPARATELY?
No, you must pay online, by credit card, when you submit your entry.
DO JUDGES TASTE THE PRODUCTS?
Yes, judges taste all the products.  PLEASE NOTE PRODUCT FEEDBACK IS NOT PROVIDED AT THE END OF THE AWARDS.
IF I HAVE QUESTIONS WHO CAN I CONTACT?
Contact the sofi Awards at sofiawards@specialtyfood.com
 

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