MSFA Member Announcements

MSFA members are a busy bunch. Here is a sampling of the wonderful things we've been creating and achieving.

Sugar and Spice - How Nice!
Spice Genie launches line of Spiceblends & Specialty Sugars this Spring!

The Spices ~ Ever dined at your favorite Thai restaurant wishing to recreate that savory dish in a simple way at home? Now you can with Spice Genie's line of All-Natural spiceblends from all over the globe, beautifully packaged in sampler packets and larger size tins with complementary recipe cards. The spiceblends are a practical way to recreate your favorite ethnic eats without having to spend a lot on all the different spices typically needed to create one dish. The included recipes are tested and approved, having been inspired by the founder's travels around the globe — gathered from friends, family, chefs and street peddlers she's met along the way! A spice aficionado, Alisa Taylor-Kapoor founded Spice Genie in the Summer of 2004 to create a unique line of products creatively inspired by spices. While classmates ordered pizza in graduate school, Alisa partook in cooking classes for fun. She learned the art of blending spices from her mother-in-law in India and continues to hone her culinary training through BU's culinary arts program.

The Sugars ~ Spice Genie's Spice Sugars are a delectable blend of pure cane sugar, spices and natural flavors offered in 5 flavors- Lemon Spice, Chai, Mint, Raspberry Vanilla and Lavender Ginger. They're perfect for stirring into tea, baking, rimming cocktail glasses and much more! The Chai Sugar is perfect sprinkled over a cappuccino or over apples before baking- it's also a flavorful accompaniment to savory dishes. The lovely packaging designs add style to any store shelf and are a perfect complement to gift baskets.

Spice Genie
Founder - Alisa Taylor-Kapoor
p.o. box 111 Boston, MA 02117
(p) 617-320-2338 (f) 617-266-8940
Email: ataylor@spicegenie.com
Please Visit www.spicegenie.com for our products, innovative recipes and to watch Alisa's free online Spice Appreciation classes.

Spice Genie in The South End News: "She's Got Spice" For local entrepreneur, variety of spice is the spice of life Page 1 | Page 2

Stacy's Pita Chip Co. has been in the News Several Times Recently:

· Stacy's was featured on Chronicle (WCVB, Channel 5) on Friday, January 7, 2026 at 7:30pm. www.bostonchannel.com
· The Boston Globe Magazine featured Stacy's Pita Chip Company recently with a full page color photo and accompanying article titled "Chipper Skippers."
· An article on Community Banks, "Taking Care of the Little Guy" featured Stacy's Pita Chip Company on the front page of the Business section, The Boston Globe, Nov. 17, 2004.

When Pigs Fly

When Pigs Fly received coverage with color photo on the front page of the food section of the Boston Globe, January 5, 2026 in an article titled "Good Bread Starts the Day -and Year - on the Right Note". "When Pigs Fly full-flavored whole wheat calls for substantial deli meats."

Ever So Humble Pie TV Debut

Ever So Humble Pie Company was contacted in August by the producers of the show Recipe For Success which airs on the Food Network, Tuesdays at 9:30pm. They expressed interest in featuring Andrea Taber and her company, Ever So Humble Pie Co because it fits with their format of featuring individuals who launched businesses in the food industry following a career change. After working as a Registered Nurse for 25yrs, Andrea shifted gears and began her pie company. The show not only showcases the particular products that a company produces, but also the nuts and bolts of how the company came into being, the costs incurred and the ongoing management and entrepreneurial challenges that are faced.
They spent two days with the company in early October filming at both the Farmer's Market in Milton and the manufacturing site in East Walpole. They interviewed Andrea and all her employees, family members and associates from her past life as an RN. Andrea says, "It was a wonderful experience! We are very excited to have National TV exposure and look forward to seeing the show which is due to air in January or February."

Sean Hurley of SMH Fine Foods Interviewed on WPRO Radio's "The Good Life"

Sean Hurley, founder and President of SMH Fine Foods, was interviewed on the WPRO Radio Sunday Show "The Good Life" with Steve Kass and Debbie Morray on January 2, 2005. The program airs every Sunday at 11:00 AM and features restaurant reviews and unique gourmet foods. Discussed was SMH Fine Foods' flagship product line: Hurley's Boston Soda Breads, as well as their new product, Hurley's Boston Soda Crisps. If you would like to hear the interview, visit www.bostonsodabreads.com

Sampsons Featured on NBC Today Show "In Style" Segment On Wed., Oct. 20, 2004.

Amy E. Goodman, editor of In Style magazine gave the "Today" show's Ann Curry some suggestions for hostess gifts for holiday events and dinners. "Complete the beverages with some sweet or savory handmade nuts by Sampsons, sure to be a party pleaser with their unusual flavors: citrus-curried cashews, sweet and spicy pecans, wild and smoky pistachios, hot and sassy almonds or dark and decadent pecans ($5 for a 5-ounce bag; 877-977- 0077 or sampsonsnuts.com)."

Sampson's in Daily Candy

You know what they say. Good things come in small batches. Well, okay. That's not exactly how it goes.
But that's the claim of Sampsons, a company that handmakes delicious nut creations. The brightly colored packages contain inventive mixtures - citrus- curried cashews, spicy almonds, smoky pistachios - all made from hand-tossed spices to ensure the very best taste.
As for what to do with the confections, Sampsons has a few suggestions: The six-pack sampler makes a great present. Try the citrus-curried cashews on spinach salad or coconut ice cream. For something really special, throw some of the sweet and spicy pecans into your next serving of oatmeal. Of course, you can always just pop 'em straight into your mouth. But we can't guarantee that you'll stop at one batch. Hey. At least they're small.

Available online at sampsonsnuts.com

Equal Exchange has Recently Been in the Spotlight a Number of Times:

· The national business magazine Fast Company did a very favorable 2 page profile of us ("Trade Secrets") in their November issue.
www.fastcompany.com
· On December 15th I (spokesperson & board director) was interviewed for 1 hr. on the radio show "Futuretalk", which is carried on the Business Talk Radio Network (30 stations nationwide). Air date TBD.
· We were featured on the cover story ("Organic Coffee Gets a Boost") of the December issue of The Organic Report from the Organic Trade Association (a national org. which happens to be based in Greenfield, Mass.)

Regards (& happy holidays),
Rodney North
The Answer Man - Information for the public & media
Equal Exchange - a worker cooperative dedicated to Fair Trade
50 United Drive
West Bridgewater MA 02379-1026
Work: 774-776-7398
Cell: 617-571-0041
Equal Exchange is more than just coffee! Try our new Fair Trade organic chocolate bars! Featuring Very Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate with Almonds.
www.equalexchange.com

Some 21 Food Entrepreneurs Attended "Bringing Your Food Product to Market," a seminar hosted by the Center for Women & Enterprise, Worcester, MA, held October 14, 2004. 5PM-8PM. Four MSFA members were among the presenters with topics that included "From kitchen to commercialization-keeping your specialty product special, " by Luther Leake, Ph.D., MIT food scientist, "Designing food labels and packaging that grab attention and comply with regulations" by MSFA members Patrick Degnan, Macaran Products, and Michael Morassi, Meredith Springfield. "Considerations for production, marketing and distribution" were shared by MSFA member Herb Heller, manager for the Western MA Food Processing Center and "State resources, contacts for start-ups and associations" by MSFA board member Bonita Oehlke, MA Department of Agricultural Resources. Information about MSFA membership was promoted, including the benefits to be gained from the networking sessions, newsletters, chat room and educational programs.

Carol Coutrier, The Launching Pad & Company and MSFA President, spoke to the group that oversees the trainers of the Massachusetts Entrepreneurial Training Program at the Training Center at Employment & Training Resources in Marlborough, MA on Oct. 22, 2004. She shared her story and MSFA resources for use in programs throughout the state.

MSFA members were among those featured at Governor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the State House, December 9, 2025
A Holiday Concert and Tree Lighting ceremony was held at the State House on December 9 featuring food including fare from MSFA members, entertainment, Santa Claus, and live music!

Food companies sampling products for the attendees from the offices in the state house, the public, special guests and Governor Romney included Alison Chateaneuf; Coutts Specialty Foods, Inc, Boxborough; Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Reyes, Los Reyes Food Products, Jamaica Plain, Jeff Belkin and his daughter from Simmons College sampling product from The Chili Station, Greenfield; Aisha Sobeih, Aisha's Termis, Roslindale; Susan Allison and from Thoreau Foods, Boxborough; Peter Ash and Regenie from Regenie's All Natural Snacks, Haverhill; eggnog products from HP Hood Inc., Chelsea; Curtis Grace from Spasso Foods, NH; Classic Cakes by Diane, Jamaica Plain; beverages from Nantucket Nectars, Nantucket; Josephine Nardi Koebler from Via Zia Wine Crisps, Needham; Carol Coutrier with a display representing the MSFA; coffee and dessert selections from Starbucks. At least 800 attended, enjoying the food and entertainment.

The MSFA's new gift basket program, "Flavors of Massachusetts" was featured at the MSFA table with samples of the beautiful baskets and the new full color sell sheets. Governor Romeny and other legislators expressed an interest in the baskets for their holiday gifts.

The event was organized by the Governor's office with collaboration from the MA Specialty Foods Association and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

CAROLYN'S GOURMET TO BE PRESENTED TO AWARD NOMINEES

January 16, 2026 (Concord, MA) - Hans van Putten, President of Carolyn's Gourmet announced that product placement firm, Madison & Mulholland has invited Carolyn's Gourmet to participate in the "Ultimate Nominee Bag" to be revealed on the Red Carpet on February 27, 2005. Van Putten explains that the "Ultimate Nominee Bag" will be sent to a host of A-list actors including nominees of the various awards shows. This list includes Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Richard Gere, Hillary Swank, Renee Zellweger, and many others.

Jane Ubell-Meyer, President of Madison & Mulholland has been invited by TV's Fox & Friends among other international and national media to reveal the "Ultimate Nominee" gift bag worth $15,000 - $20,000 on the red-carpet during their respective coverage of the internationally televised award show on February 27, 2005. (Further details will be forthcoming).

The contents of the Ultimate Nominee bag will also be covered by OK-Australia magazine. Carolyn's Gourmet's sampler has also been featured in the Morongo Casino, Palm Springs opening gift-bag on December 9, 2004. The Palm Springs event was hosted by Jay Leno and attended by many celebrities, among them, Beyonce, Carlos Santana, The Hilton Sisters, Jessica Simpson. The contents of the bag will be featured in upcoming issues of Us Weekly and Star magazine.

For more information contact: Carolyn's Gourmet, Hans van Putten at 1-978-369-2940 ext 203 or Madison & Mulholland, Jane Ubell-Meyer at 1-212-579- 5650 or www.madisonandmulholland.com or www.carolynsgourmet.com.

About the company: Carolyn's Gourmet is a gourmet- food manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer. Carolyn's is best known for its award-winning Sweet & Salty pecans and English toffee. Its Chocolate-bark is the perfect marriage between their roasted and coated nuts and exquisite Belgian chocolate. All products are available in every day or gift-packaging and are the perfect accompaniment to all occasions year-round.

People are invited to visit the factory outlet at 40 Beharrell Street in Concord, MA 01742 or call 1-800- 656-2940 xt. 204 to order their personal or corporate gift items. Come and visit Carolyn's Gourmet at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco January 23, 24, 25 at booth #521

About Madison & Mulholland, Inc.: A product placement firm placing products into the hands of influential, A-list celebrities and the media. Their online magazine, www.madisonandmulholland.com is dedicated to making recommendations for living well for the 40+ affluent consumer.