As Hudson Kitchen returns to Incubator Village for a fourth straight year, bringing 11 founder-led brands to the Summer Fancy Food Show
KEARNY, N.J. (MAY 26, 2026) — The Specialty Food Association (SFA) will honor Hudson Kitchen CEO and founder Djenaba Johnson-Jones with the 2026 Leadership Award for Equity & Opportunity, recognizing her work advancing access and inclusion across the consumer packaged goods food landscape. The award will be presented during the 68th Summer Fancy Food Show, June 28–30, 2026, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.
The recognition arrives as Hudson Kitchen returns to the show's Incubator Village for a fourth consecutive year, this time bringing 11 founder-led brands from its Food Business Bootcamp® Startup Accelerator and membership community to exhibit in the Debut District. It is the largest cohort Hudson Kitchen has ever brought to the show.
“This award belongs to every founder who refused to wait for permission to build. Equity in this industry isn't a slogan — it's infrastructure. It's giving a maker the kitchen, the mentorship, and the room on the shelf to prove what they already knew they could do.”
— Djenaba Johnson Jones, CEO and Founder, Hudson Kitchen
Hudson Kitchen is a shared commercial kitchen and food business incubator in northern New Jersey that helps founders manufacture and scale CPG food products for retail and wholesale. Its Food Business Bootcamp® Startup Accelerator gives early-stage makers the operational, financial, and go-to-market foundation to move from idea to shelf, and the booth at this year's show is built almost entirely from that pipeline.
Of the 11 brands exhibiting with Hudson Kitchen, nine are Bootcamp alumni, alongside two Hudson Kitchen members. One Winter 2026 Bootcamp cohort member, Juliette Clark, founder of Daramel, will also take the stage in the show's Fancy Face-Off pitch competition.
MEET THE MAKERS EXHIBITING WITH HUDSON KITCHEN
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Daramel BOOTH 7121A |
A naturally sweet, date-based caramel alternative crafted with simple ingredients and rich flavor. |
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Irie Brew Kombucha BOOTH 7123A |
Caribbean-inspired kombucha infused with vibrant tropical flavors and island influences. |
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Mucha Macha BOOTH 7123B |
Mexican-style chili crisp salsa combining smoky heat, crunch, and bold layered flavor. |
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Chicka Chew BOOTH 7125A |
Vietnamese-style dried chicken snacks delivering savory, protein-packed flavor with a modern twist. |
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Next Level Grains BOOTH 7125B |
Ancient grain cookies made with wholesome ingredients and nutrient-dense grains for elevated everyday snacking. |
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C'est Si Bon BOOTH 7127A |
A spicy pickled vegetable condiment rooted in bold flavor traditions, designed to complement a wide range of dishes. |
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Morty's Sandwich Bread BOOTH 7127B |
Small-batch sourdough sandwich bread crafted for flavor, texture, and everyday versatility. |
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Gamsa Foods BOOTH 7129A |
A Korean-American brand reimagining breakfast with savory instant oatmeal made with sesame oil, garlic, and soy sauce. |
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Kel's Kitchen Table BOOTH 7129B |
Handcrafted granola made with whole-grain oats, coconut sugar, and nuts — a wholesome, small-batch approach to snacking. |
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Petite Île BOOTH 7131A |
Small-batch sauces and Mauritian samoussas filled with curried meats, seafood, and herbs, celebrating the island's multicultural flavors. |
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Red Fox Spices BOOTH 7131B |
Heirloom Ethiopian meal kits and spice blends including berbere and korerima, handcrafted to preserve ancestral flavors and culinary heritage. |
Visit Hudson Kitchen in the Debut District at Booth 7121A to explore these standout products, meet the founders, and learn how we grow the next generation of food innovators.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE NEXT FOOD BUSINESS BOOTCAMP® OPEN JUNE 15
Founders building a packaged food or beverage brand can apply at thehudsonkitchen.com. Visit Booth 7121A during the show to meet alumni, grab a postcard, and learn what the program makes possible.
ABOUT HUDSON KITCHEN
Hudson Kitchen is a shared commercial kitchen and food business incubator based in northern New Jersey. Through flexible production space, storage, and structured programming, including its Food Business Bootcamp® Startup Accelerator, Hudson Kitchen helps founders launch, manufacture, and scale CPG food and beverage products for retail and wholesale. Its mission is to expand access and opportunity for the next generation of food and beverage entrepreneurs.
MEDIA CONTACT
Hudson Kitchen
Elizabeth Alvarez
[email protected]
917-494-7210
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