• Early Bird submissions: $80 (June 16 – July 1, 2025)

    • Standard submissions: $115 (July 2 – August 25, 2025)


    Please note: entries for the 2026 sofi Awards will open on June 16, 2025.

    Enter using our 3-step process:

    Step 1: Complete online entry
    Step 2: Submit payment
    Step 3: Send product samples

  • Perishable and Shelf Stable Samples Accepted: July 28 - September 5, 2025 

    Products must have an expiration date of no earlier than October 10, 2025.

    Shipping Address:
    Rutgers Food Innovation Center – South 
    Attn: 2026 sofi Awards 
    450 East Broad Street 
    Bridgeton, NJ 08302-2849 

  • Initial judging will take place at the Rutgers Food Innovation Center – South in Bridgeton, NJ.

    Buyer Judging Onsite:
    A panel composed of 12 buyers and 1 packaging expert will evaluate products at the Rutgers Food Innovation Center – South the week of October 6.

  • The 75 sofi Gold and 3 Packaging finalists will be notified via email on or before October 13, 2025. 
  • The 75 sofi Gold and 3 Packaging finalists will be announced via press release and website October 15, 2025.
  • The 25 sofi Gold recipients as well as the Grand Honors Awards (Product of the Year - Food, Product of the Year - Beverage, Outstanding New Product, Outstanding Packaging, and Timeless Taste) will be announced live at Winter FancyFaire* 2026 in January.

For information about the next sofi Awards, please contact sofi@specialtyfood.com.