Good Food Award Weekend Tickets Now Live!
Good Food Award Weekend Tickets Now Live!
New this year, the first ever public tasting & market at Good Food Mercantile, and a training by Ari Weinzweig of Zingerman’s for local and visiting food and drink crafters
Portland, OR (March 6, 2024) — The Good Food Foundation, a 501 (c) 3, is excited to announce that tickets are now live for the upcoming Good Food Awards weekend, celebrating tasty, authentic and responsible food, in Portland, Oregon, from April 27 to 29. The weekend includes the first ever opportunity for the public to taste and buy from 150 good food makers on Sunday, April 28.
Kicking off three days of celebration and connection, the Good Food Foundation, with support from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, will welcome the legendary Ari Weinzweig, co-founder of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, for a full-day workshop designed for new and seasoned food business entrepreneurs. Opened in 1992 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Zingerman’s Deli blossomed into eleven businesses with more than 750 employees and over $65 million in annual revenue. This success also paved the way for ZingTrain leadership training. Offered in Portland for the first time, Weinzweig, author of five books on business, will share insights into Zingerman’s unique approach to business, culture, leadership, and community involvement at this all-day workshop. Limited to 60 participants, special pricing is available for makers and retailers participating in Good Food Mercantile. More information on the Saturday, April 27 workshop can be found here.
Next come the two big events of the weekend: the Good Food Mercantile on April 28, and the Awards Ceremony (and After-Party) on April 29.
The Good Food Mercantile, an “un-trade show for tasty, authentic and responsible food” brings together 150 of the nation’s most talented food and drink crafters — all committed to sustainable practices — as well as a few inspiring visiting food crafters and regional products from New Zealand, Italy, Japan, Switzerland and Canada; and introduces them to like-minded retailers who value care and craftsmanship.
For the first time ever, Portland’s food-loving public will be welcomed to the last two hours of Good Food Mercantile to engage with, sample, and purchase from exceptional makers, many of whose food and drink is not otherwise available in Oregon. Industry tickets are open to retailers, media, chefs and distributors and offer full access with smaller crowds ($45 for 6-hour tickets). Public tickets are available starting at 4 pm on Sunday, April 28, at which point all attendees are able to both sample and purchase from the 150 makers ($15 for two hours, 4 pm – 6 pm). Special thanks to Prosper Portland, whose support enabled the new, public format.
On April 29, capping off the weekend will be the 600-person Good Food Awards Ceremony and After-Party. Dubbed the “Oscars of the food movement” by Newsweek, the celebration brings the food world together to fete 200 of the country’s most talented food and drink makers in 18 categories, from pickles and preserves to cider and spirits. In attendance at the big ceremony will be Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer, welcoming the visiting and local winners to Portland; MC Dana Cowin, best known for her two decades as the Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine Magazine; and legendary food writer Joan Nathan, an Honorary Host for the night.
“We’re thrilled to bring the best makers in the country to such a wonderful food city to celebrate together. The Good Food Foundation also strives to offer new opportunities for our city’s savvy food enthusiasts to connect with, taste and learn from talented makers from Oregon and around the nation, thanks to the new format of the Mercantile, and ZingTrain workshop by such a thought leader as Ari,” said Sarah Weiner, Executive Director of the Good Food Foundation. “The Good Food Awards weekend is a unique opportunity to discover exceptional American makers who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to not only creating extraordinary flavors, but also to sustainable practices, supporting their communities, and fostering transparency throughout their supply chains.”
In grocery stores in every state, lovers of food can look for the little blue Good Food Award Winners seal to know they have found something sustainable, socially responsible, and extremely delicious. Throughout the month of April, Portland specialty grocers World Foods and Barbur World Foods will shine a bright spotlight on winning producers with in-store end cap displays of 2024 Good Food Award Winners. These award-winning products will be offered for 10% off during the month of April. In-store spotlights are orchestrated in partnership with the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
A list of 2024 Good Food Awards Finalists can be found here.
The 2024 Good Food Awards Winners will be announced on Monday, April 29 during the Good Food Awards Ceremony at Portland Center Stage.
The Good Food Foundation thanks its Presenting Sponsor, the Good Food Merchants Collaborative, as well as these key supporters that made the Good Food Weekend possible: Oregon Department of Agriculture, Travel Oregon, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, Oregon Organic Coalition, Travel Portland, Prosper Portland, Market of Choice, Le Gruyère, Venchi, Oregon Dairy & Nutrition Council, The Japanese Pantry, and Manicaretti.
About the Good Food Foundation
The Good Food Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating, connecting, and empowering the people and businesses behind good food. Through its annual Good Food Awards, Mercantile events, and various partnerships and initiatives, the Foundation aims to foster a more tasty, authentic, and responsible food system.
Public Event Details
What: Good Food Mercantile Public Tasting & Marketplace
When: Sunday, April 28, 2024, 4 pm to 6 pm (public tickets)
Where: Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR
How: Tickets are $15 per person and include a $5 coupon towards on-site purchases. Tickets are available now on the Good Food Foundation’s website: goodfoodfdn.org/events
Press photos can be found in the folder HERE.