Springfield chocolatier selected to receive industry honor

The founder of Springfield-based Askinosie Chocolate LLC will be honored for his business leadership in the industry by the National Association for the Specialty Foods Trade Inc.

Former defense attorney-turned-chocolatier, Shawn Askinosie, will be part of the inaugural class of business owners to receive awards honoring outstanding contributions to the specialty food industry during the Jan. 22 Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, according to a news release.

"We have gotten product awards from NASFT before, but this individual honor for Shawn in a first," said Askinosie Chocolate spokeswoman Bethany Parry. "I nominated him for the award because of the amazing and innovative things he does with this company and for this community."

According to the NASFT release, the awards recognize members who have not only advanced food standards in society, but are making a significant impact through social, economic and environmental efforts in three categories: citizenship, business leadership and vision.  

Askinosie will be honored for business leadership; Nasser Abufara, founder of Canaan Fair Tade in Carnas, Wash., will take home the inaugural citizenship award; and Karlene Hunter, co-founder and chief executive of Native American Natural Foods in Kyle, S.D., won the vision award.

Recognized as an industry leader, Askinosie Chocolate sources 100 percent of its beans directly from the farmers and the company's founder travels to regions of Ecuador, Honduras, the Philippines and Tanzania to work directly with the farmers and source cocoa beans. The direct sourcing allows Askinosie Chocolate to share profits with farmers. Locally, Askinosie also engages young people in the community to broaden their worldview and introduce them to entrepreneurship through the Chocolate University program.

“The specialty food industry is driven by passionate entrepreneurs who are seeking to make a positive impact on society, whether in their own community, or beyond," NASFT President Ann Daw said in the release. "The individuals selected for our first annual leadership awards each demonstrate extraordinary efforts that go far beyond creating great food."

A panel of specialty food professionals and industry experts selected the leadership award honorees from 67 nominations. Parry said Askinosie will travel to San Francisco to accept the honor.

"A lot of people were in the running for this award and we as a company are thrilled Shawn stood out from the crowd," she said.

The NASFT is a not-for-profit trade association for food artisans, entrepreneurs and importers and will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2013 with 3,075 members in the U.S. and abroad, according to the organization.