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The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) today announced the Silver Finalists for its 39th sofi Awards for outstanding specialty foods and beverages of the year.

A national panel of specialty food experts spent three days tasting and evaluating a record 1,657 entries to select 110 Silver Finalists across 31 award categories, from Outstanding Appetizer, Antipasto and Salsa or Dip to Outstanding Vinegar. For a complete list of finalists, visit http://foodspring.com/sofiawards/silver/.

In early June, the NASFT will bring in judges to select sofi Silver Finalists for two more awards: Outstanding New Product of 2011, and Outstanding Product Line.

The sofi Awards are considered the highest honor in the $70 billion U.S. specialty food industry. The competition is open to members of the NASFT, a not-for-profit trade association established in 1952. “sofi” stands for Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation.

Gold Winners will be announced at a red-carpet ceremony on July 11 at the NASFT’s Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C. The event will be hosted by chef and television food personality Cat Cora.

The entries were judged on numerous attributes, including quality, taste, innovation, packaging, ingredients and pricing. The panel included Bonnie Benwick, The Washington Post, Washington, D.C.; Patrick Delessio, Canyon Market, San Francisco; Gus DiMillo and David Wizenberg, Passion Food Hospitality, Washington, D.C.; Roger McElroy, Straub’s, St. Louis; Sara Moulton, “Good Morning America”; Alan Palmer, Blue Apron Foods, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Peter Pruden III, Taste Unlimited, Norfolk, Va.; Dwight Richmond, Whole Foods Market, Austin, Texas; and Rochelle Seideneck, Giant Eagle, Pittsburgh.