Tasty Spin Offered for Election Day
NASFT Members Present Bipartisan Treats
New York, N.Y. (Oct. 23, 2012) — Specialty food makers are putting a tasty spin on Election Day. Members of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc., (NASFT) are offering partisan pastas, hot sauce and cupcakes, not to mention donkeys and elephants made from chocolate ganache.
Some are staging their own contests, and others are using sales of election-themed treats to predict who will end up in the White House.
The NASFT is a not-for-profit trade association for food artisans, importers and entrepreneurs. Following is a selection of Election Day offerings from NASFT members:
Dave’s Gourmet – Barak Obama and Mitt Romney Hot Sauces
The Pasta Shoppe – Democrat and Republican Pasta
Main Street Cupcakes – Election Themed Cupcakes
Byrd Cookie Company – Democrat Snacks and GOP Cookies
Moonstruck Chocolatier – Election Collection
Queen City Cookies – Barak Obama Shortbread for Luncheon for Women Small Business Owners in Cincinnati; Mitt Romney cookies in the works
Early results are showing a very tight race.
“So far we’ve been in a dead heat for which candidate is leading according to our Election Day sales,” said Sarah Forrer, co-owner of Main Street Cupcakes in Hudson, Ohio. The company is selling Election-themed treats in its stores and online.
Sales are brisk for Byrd Cookie Company, whose election-themed cookies have already sold out online. Most orders have been for bi-partisan cases, says Byrd Cookie Co. President Geoff Repella. “We’re looking at a very close race,” he said.
Dave’s Gourmet is tracking results for its Barak Obama and Mitt Romney Hot Sauces with sales of Gov. Romney’s sauce inching a bit head of President Obama’s as of October 23.
The latest NASFT research shows that more than 45 percent of consumers between age 18 – 24 use specialty foods for a special occasion at home, such a holiday, and close to three quarters say they look to these foods to treat themselves. Election Day should be no exception.
“Specialty food makers are known for their creativity and passion,” says Ann Daw, president of the NASFT. “They are presenting some great choices this year to liven up Election Day parties and add some fun to the race.”
About the NASFT
The NASFT is celebrating its 60th anniversary. It is a not-for-profit trade association established in 1952 to foster commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. Today there are more than 2,900 members in the U.S. and abroad. The NASFT’s website for consumers, foodspring.com, provides an insider’s look at specialty foods and the companies, food entrepreneurs and artisans behind them. For more information on the NASFT and its Fancy Food Shows, go to specialtyfood.com.
The History of Specialty Food
To mark its 60th Anniversary, the NASFT presents “A Visual Feast,” a detailed history of specialty food, major culinary milestones and the innovators behind them. See it at www.specialtyfood.com/avisualfeast.
