Jöey Nordic Seed Crisps Announced as 2027 sofi Award Finalist by the Specialty Food Association

Toronto, Ontario, October 26, 2026 – Jöey Nordic Kitchen Corp. maker of all organic, gluten-free 7-seed Jöey Nordic Seed Crisps, is proud to announce that its Rosemary & Black Pepper has been named a finalist for the Specialty Food Association (SFA)’s 2027 sofi Awards, an annual celebration of the best specialty food products of the year.

Standing for “specialty outstanding food innovation,” the sofi Awards have put a spotlight on excellence in specialty food and beverage since 1972.

“The recognition as a sofi Gold Award finalist is a huge testament to our hard work,” said Joseph Chen, Founder of Jöey Nordic Kitchen Corp. “This one belongs to everyone who has been part of the JÖEY journey. Our team, our retail partners, and every customer who picked up a bag and told a friend. We set out to make a gluten-free, 7-seed cracker with clean ingredients that still tastes incredible, and it means a lot to see that vision recognized on this stage”

Rosemary & Black Pepper stood out among more than 1,000 entries, judged by an expert panel of specialty food buyers in a rigorous blind tasting process. Products were evaluated based on flavor, appearance, texture, aroma, ingredient quality, and innovation. 75 products that received the highest marks across these criteria advanced as Gold Award finalists.

SFA will announce the 2027 sofi Award winners live in a special ceremony on January 17 at the Winter FancyFaire* trade show in San Francisco. Additionally, the three-day show will elevate all 75 finalists through a special product showcase and curated buyer opportunities.

“Each year, our expert judges are blown away by the craft, quality, and innovation of the sofi Award finalists, who set the tone for the industry in the coming year,” said Bill Lynch, president of SFA. “Congratulations to Jöey Nordic Seed Crisps and all the 2027 finalists, we can’t wait to celebrate you at Winter FancyFaire*!”

Made with seven organic super seeds, including protein- and fiber-rich watermelon seeds, Jöey Nordic Seed Crisps are gluten-free, keto-friendly, nut-free seed crackers inspired by Scandinavian crispbread. Founder Joseph Chen created them after a 2019 trip to Sweden, reimagining the classic as a crispier, clean-label snack that pairs with cheese and dips or goes straight from the bag.

The recognition comes after a busy and productive year for Jöey Nordic Seed Crisps. Since late spring, the brand has debuted new flavours at the Summer Fancy Food Show, begun shipping nationwide in the U.S., been featured by Bon Appétit, won a 2026 Startup CPG Shelfie Award in the Healthy Snack category, and made an on-air deal with Manjit Minhas on CBC’s Dragons’ Den. In November, Jöey joins the Sprouts Farmers Market Forager Program in 500+ stores, its largest retail win to date.

The sofi Awards are considered the top honor in the $219-billion specialty food industry. Past winners include some of today’s most recognizable and successful brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, Kettle Chips, Fage Yogurt, Stonewall Kitchen, and Vermont Creamery.

For more information on Jöey Nordic Seed Crisps, visit joeynordicseedcrisps.com or follow on Instagram at @joeyseedcrisps.

About Jöey Nordic Seed Crisps: Founded in 2023 by Joseph Chen in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Jöey Nordic Seed Crisps makes gluten-free, all organic seed crackers with seven organic super seeds, inspired by Scandinavian crispbread. The brand began at a local farmers’ market and is now sold at retailers across Canada and the U.S. and online at joeynordicseedcrisps.com. Jöey is a 2026 Startup CPG Shelfie Award winner in the Healthy Snack category and appeared on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, Season 21.

About the Specialty Food Association?   The Specialty Food Association (SFA) was founded in 1952 and is the not-for-profit trade association of the $219-billion specialty food industry. Representing more than 4,800 businesses worldwide, SFA champions industry participation and success for a diverse community of makers, buyers, importers, distributors, and service providers by producing events, programs, and year-round resources and education. SFA owns and operates the Summer Fancy Food Show, Winter FancyFaire*, and the sofi™ Awards, which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage annually since 1972. SFA also oversees the Good Food Mercantile, Good Food Qualification, and Good Food Awards, celebrating tasty, authentic, responsibly crafted food and the people behind it. Find out more at Specialtyfood.com, and connect with SFA on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Media Contact For Jöey Nordic Seed Crisps: Zach Goodwin Brand Manager