NASFT Names Outstanding Retailers

NEW YORK — The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade announced the Outstanding Retailers of 2012, Tuesday. 

They are Caviar & Bananas, Charleston, S.C.; City Feed and Supply, Jamaica Plain, Mass.; Eli’s Manhattan, New York; Mollie Stone’s Markets, Mill Valley, Calif.; and Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, Chicago.

Ranging from a neighborhood storefront and cafe to a 20,000-square-foot gourmet emporium and nine-store specialty supermarket chain, the winners are being recognized for excellence in customer service, product sourcing, merchandising, quality assurance and passion for presenting top-quality food.

The retailers were selected by a national panel of specialty food experts including previous honorees, manufacturers, distributors and editors of Specialty Food Magazine. The awards will be presented on June 18 at the Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C.

“This year’s winners share a true commitment to providing premium service, well-edited choices of the latest new products, and a deep connection to their communities that are hallmarks of the specialty food industry,” said NASFT President Ann Daw in a statement.