African Dream Foods, an African-made, U.S.-based company, has won the Southern African Regional Exporter Award for Buyer of the Year. The ceremony was held in South Africa and celebrates the best exporters of fine foods from the region. The winner and nominees actively engaged with partners in the region to create sustainability, growth, and best practices in exporting and trade within Southern Africa.
“It's been a blast getting to share these flavors with American consumers and to hear their reactions,” David Schmunk, founder and managing director of African Dream Foods, said in a statement. “We’re grateful for this recognition and hope it will bring more attention and create even more demand for African products in the U.S. and the world.”
The event was held in partnership with the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and supported by the USAID Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub. Categories included exporter, buyer, trade promotion service, and capital provider of the year. All African Dream Foods sauces, salts,and seasonings are sourced and manufactured in South Africa and exported to the company's corporate warehouse in Southern California.
Each product uses all-natural ingredients sourced from small farms with partial proceeds from all sales contributing to conservation efforts that protect Africa's wildlife.
Related: Buyers' Picks: Diverse Food Brands; Southeastern Grocers Focuses on Supplier Diversity.