NASFT Membership

About Specialty Foods

The mission of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade  is to “foster a thriving Specialty Food Industry.” Members of the Association, in one way or another, make, sell, represent, buy or in some way deal with Specialty Food Products.

Definition of Specialty Food Products

Specialty Food Products as used herein shall mean: foods and beverages that exemplify quality, innovation and style in their category. Their specialty nature derives from some or all of the following characteristics: their originality, authenticity, ethnic or cultural origin, specific processing, ingredients, limited supply, distinctive use, extraordinary packaging or specific channel of distribution or sale. By virtue of their differentiation in their categories, such products maintain a high perceived value and often command a premium price.

Specialty Food Industry at a Glance

According to NASFT’s annual State of the Specialty Food Industry 2011 :

• Total sales of specialty foods in 2010 were $70.32 billion, with $55.92 billion of sales at retail.
• Specialty foods represent 13.1 percent of all retail food sales.
• The average specialty food manufacturer produces 51 different items and brings in $2.3 million in annual sales.
• Cheese and Cheese Alternatives are the largest specialty food category, at $3.23 billion, followed by meat, chips and snacks, bread and baked goods, and condiments.
• The specialty food categories with the greatest sales percentage of all food sales are Refrigerated Sauces, Salsas and Dips at 56.9 percent, Teas at 49.2 percent and Pickles, Peppers, Olives and Other Vegetables at 33.5 percent.
• Functional beverages is the fastest growing specialty food category, sporting a sales increase of 119.5 percent in 2010, followed by yogurt and kefir with a 48.9 percent jump.
• 76 percent of specialty food manufacturers report sales growth for 2010, with 36 Percent up more than 20 percent.
• Gluten-free product introductions showed sharp gains, with 119 new products in 2010 versus 67 in 2009.
• Mediterranean and Indian are the most influential emerging cuisines, importers say.
• Natural food stores are the fastest growing retail channel; sales rose 14.7 percent from 2008 to 2010.