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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 -
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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.
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The 75 sofi Gold and 3 Packaging finalists will be announced via press release and website October 15, 2025.
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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.