Dec 11, 2013

Neil Grimmer of Plum Organics to Present Keynote at Winter Fancy Food Show

Neil Grimmer, co-founder and president of Plum Organics, a fast-growing producer of organic foods for babies, toddlers and children, will be the keynote speaker at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco.

Grimmer will talk about how his passion to ensure healthy eating “from high chair to the lunch box” has helped Plum skyrocket from start-up to $93 million brand in just six years. The event is presented by the Specialty Food Association, owner and producer of the Winter Fancy Food Show and the Social Venture Network.

Now in its 39th year, the show is the largest marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast. It takes place Jan. 19 – 21, 2014, at Moscone Center. Registration is open at www.fancyfoodshows.com. The keynote is 5 – 6 p.m. on opening day and open to all attendees at no charge.

Following Grimmer’s talk, the Specialty Food Association will present its second annual Leadership Awards honoring innovative entrepreneurs who are transforming the way the industry does business.

“Plum is a premiere example of how specialty food companies can embrace social initiatives without sacrificing business success. We are delighted Grimmer will be sharing his insights,” says Ann Daw, president of the Specialty Food Association.

Named number 19 on Forbes Magazine’s 100 Promising Companies of 2013, Plum was acquired by Campbell Soup Company in June 2013 and reincorporated post-acquisition as a Benefit Corporation, a new legal badge of honor for socially and environmentally responsible companies. Prior to starting Plum, Grimmer was VP of Strategy and Innovation for Clif Bar.

Plum is one of the 1,300 specialty food companies exhibiting at the Winter Fancy Food Show, where more than 18,000 buyers from companies including Whole Foods, Trade Joe’s, Central Market and JetBlue Airways will seek out the latest specialty foods.

Press Registration

The Fancy Food Show is a trade-only event. The Specialty Food Association provides complimentary press badges to qualified media. Learn more and register.

About the Specialty Food Association

The Specialty Food Association (formerly the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc.) is a not-for-profit trade association for food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs established in 1952 in New York City to foster commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. Today there are more than 3,000 members in the U.S. and abroad. The Specialty Food Association operates the Summer and Winter Fancy Food Shows and presents the sofi™ Awards honoring excellence in specialty food. For more information on the association, go to specialtyfood.com.

SPECIALTY FOOD ASSOCIATION MEDIA CONTACTS:

Ken Seiter, Chief Marketing Officer; 646-878-0104, kseiter@specialtyfood.com

Louise Kramer, Communications Director; 646-878-0130, lkramer@specialtyfood.com

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