Date Lady Wins 3 sofi Awards 2018

2,500+ Products Competed for the Top Specialty Food Association Awards

Springfield, MO. (April 19, 2018) – Date Lady has won a gold award for their new California Date Syrup in Outstanding Condiment, a silver for their original Date Syrup in Dessert Toppings, Sauces and Syrups and a bronze award for their Coconut Caramel Sauce in Vegan Product in the Specialty Food Association’s 2018 sofi™ Award competition.

A sofi is the top honor in the $127 billion specialty food industry. “sofi” stands for Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation and represents the best of the best from members of the Specialty Food Association.

The California Date Syrup, original Date Syrup and Coconut Caramel Sauce were three of 150 Winners selected by a national panel of specialty food experts from more than 3,000 entries across 39 Awards categories including Outstanding Chocolate, Cheese, and Savory Snack. Every eligible entry is carefully assessed by passionate and knowledgeable food professionals including chefs, culinary experts, academics, food writers, and category buyers. Products are judged on Taste, including flavor, appearance, texture and aroma, Ingredient Quality and Innovation. All tastings are blind.

“We are in shock and overcome with gratitude! It’s one thing to think you have a good product and another thing to get confirmation from chefs and other food professionals that have been leaders in the industry for years,” says Colleen Sundlie, founder of Date Lady. “A sofi award is one of the ultimate stamps of approval and we’re very grateful. To win three in the same year is truly more than we ever imagined!”

“A sofi means a product, and the people behind it, have arrived,” says Phil Kafarakis, president, Specialty Food Association. “This year’s finalists represent a devotion to excellence and innovation in specialty food that continues to fuel our industry, excite consumer and expand retail offerings around the world.”

The sofi Awards are open to members of the Specialty Food Association, a not-for-profit trade association established in 1952 for food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs with more than 3,600 members in the U.S. and abroad. For more information on the association and its Fancy Food Shows, go to specialtyfood.com. Learn more about the 2018 sofi Awards at specialtyfood.com/sofi.

GOLD WINNER: DATE LADY ORGANIC CALIFORNIA DATE SYRUP

100% Organic, Vegan, Gluten Free, Non-GMO
• The fruit from the arid California desert results in a golden brown nectar with notes of rich butterscotch.
• Ingredients: Organic California Dates
• Sundlie says “This ambrosial syrup is made only with dates sourced from Coachella Valley and contains a wealth of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You really can’t go wrong, no matter what you decide to put it on.”

SILVER WINNER: DATE LADY DATE SYRUP

100% Organic, Vegan, Gluten Free, Non-GMO
• The original Date Lady Date Syrup is a thick, luxurious syrup reminiscent of brown sugar and cotton candy.
• Ingredients: Organic Dates
• Sundlie says “I recommend trying this syrup lightly drizzled over warm brie and crostini or on top of a pile of pancakes. It has a rich complexity that really shines on both savory and sweet applications.”

BRONZE WINNER: DATE LADY COCONUT CARAMEL SAUCE

100% Organic, Vegan, Gluten Free, Non-GMO
A divine blend of organic, heavy coconut cream and date syrup creates a silky-sweet caramel sauce that is both vegan and dairy-free!
• Ingredients: Date Syrup*, Coconut Cream* (Coconut, Water), Vanilla Extract*, Baobab Powder*
• Sundlie says “Dates and coconut blend together beautifully and I think their exotic origins come through in the sauce. It’s like taking your taste buds on a vacation.”