Tom Marshall of Specialty Food America! having a morning coffee at Bongo Java Roasting Company Cafe Nashville, Tennessee
Specialty Food America! Inc. began its corporate life in Oct of 1997 as a food brokerage company. During this time the website was being developed as an adjunct marketing arm to the on-the-road and face-to-face reality of being a food broker. In 2000 an initial step into e-commerce and as a web magazine refocused the company to the point where you see it today. Though a small company it has the input of many specialty food companies, trade organizations, consumers, growers, allied support companies and agencies.
Current Media Reference in Washington Post
About Tom Marshall - Owner
Tom Marshall, President of Specialty Food America! Inc., attended Dartmouth College and is a graduate of Indiana University. He received his commission as a United States Naval Officer from OCS in Newport, RI. After his service obligation with tour in Viet Nam he resigned and began his work in the private sector. He primarily worked for the J.C. Penney Company at stores in Florida and Kentucky in various senior store level merchandising and operation positions. He created, managed and sold Your Gardener, Inc. He is a 1986 graduate of The New School for Social Research / Parsons School of Design - New York Restaurant School. He worked in a variety of restaurants in Annapolis in various kitchen and front-of-the-house positions. He managed the American Spoon Food Store on Main Street in Annapolis.
He created Specialty Food America! Inc. in October, 1997.
Tom's inspiration for great food came from his parents who early in his life began a monthly food get-together with an international food theme. This began in the 1950's and has continued to evolve a generation later.
Tom is a Master Gardener. He has created a series of gardens including an herb garden inspired by the one at the National Arboretum in Washington. The gardens are open by appointment.
Tom met the challenge of a waitress at Harry Browne's Restaurant in Annapolis, Md. and ran the New York City Marathon in 1989. It was his one and only marathon. A great way to see NYC according to Tom.
In 1994 Tom and two other individuals sailed from Annapolis, Maryland to Dartmouth, England on Fantasia, a Baba 35 footer.
Tom is currently Treasurer of the Hopkinsville/Christian County Library and supports the local Rails-to-Trails initiative. He also supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Tom is a Certified Food Defense Coordinator.
Media References
The Brooklyn Bridge User Group March 15, 2003 mentioned Specialty Food America! Inc. as a best deal for Honest Tea when you buy 6 or more boxes. Best Assam ever tasted.
The New York Times in its June 13, 2003 online and print editions, listed Specialty Food America! Inc. as the source for the HotSpot Potholders.
Good Morning America, Sara Moulton - Tools for Frugal Chefs - on August 11, 2003 listed Specialty Food America! Inc. as the source for the HotSpot Countertop Protectors.
On September 5, 2003 The New York Times listed Specialty Food America! Inc. in its online and print editions as the source for the Fresh Herb Keeper.
In August, 2005, The Chicago Tribune mentioned Specialty Food America! Inc. as the source for Lucini Pasta Sauces.
In July, 2006, The Chicago Tribune mentioned Specialty Food America! Inc as the source for Rummo Pasta.
In February, 2007, Cook's Illustrated mentioned Specialty Food America! Inc. as the source for their recommended Lucini Gran Riserva Balsamic Vinegar.
On various dates beginning April 21, 2007, the Food Network chose the Sagaform Picnic Basket with Table for the network's show "Gotta Get It" and Specialty Food America as the source.
In June, 2007 issue of Country Home magazine the Sagaform Bucket Grill was mentioned with Specialty Food America! Inc. as the source.
On September 10, 2008, The Washington Post mentioned Specialty Food America! Inc. as a source for Sistema's Klip It line of food storage containers.
Company Details
Specialty Food America! Inc. is a licensed Warehouse/Distributor/Repacker. The food storage facility is registered with the FDA.
Specialty Food America! Inc.'s central USA location between the shipping centers of Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis, TN makes the servicing of coastal population centers cost-efficient and expedient.
Specialty Food America! Inc Corporate Offices & Distribution 5055 Huffman Mill Road Hopkinsville, KY 42240
PLEASE NOTE THAT DURING HOLIDAY TRANSIT TIMES FOR GROUND SERVICE ARE NOT GUARANTEED.
Contact Specialty Food America! Inc. for particular shipping, advertising and order fulfillment questions.
Meanderings
Trans-Atlantic 1994
In 1994 - with two other individuals Tom sailed from Annapolis, Maryland to Dartmouth, England "The food was the best part of the trip!"
Tom linked up with his youngest daughter, a Pharmacist, on a memorable trip to a niece's wedding in Florida and a stop at Skinny's Place, Holmes Beach, Florida
Christmas 2007 saw Tom linking up with his daughters. This is a picture of Tom with his eldest daughter Anne, an Elementary Teacher, at Soluna - a magnificent Mexican restaurant.
Soluna
7959 Broadway Street
San Antonio, Tx 78209
1.210.930.8070
On July 16, 2008, While attending Food Defense Coordinator Training Program at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Tom Marshall of Specialty Food America! Inc. had appetizers at Joe's Crab Shack on the Ohio River in Louisville, Ky.
Tom chose the Crab Nachos and a draft Sam Adams. The view of the Ohio river was extraordinary. It was easy to slowly consume the food as the rhythmic pace of the river with it's barges, kayaks, houseboats, and slow-swirling eddies grabbed his attention.
While access to the restaurant is difficult it is well worth the effort to seek it out. A night return visit is planned to take in the river traffic with city night lights.
Joe's Crab Shack 131 East River Road Louisville, Ky
Tom Marshall of Specialty Food America! having a morning coffee at Bongo Java Roasting Company Cafe Nashville, Tennessee
The BJRC Cafe East Nashville location is a combination roasting factory and cafe. While you're sipping your coffee you can see Derek Wolfe and production crew working away creating their tasty organic and free trade beans.
Cafe East features a full line of coffee drinks, coffee by the pound, pastries and sandwiches.
The cafe opened in November 2000 with very limited weekday only hours. As the neighborhood has enjoyed a renaissance in growth so has BJRC. As a result, Bongo Java has grown from a coffee / pastry bar to a cafe with a full sandwich menu.
BJRC Cafe is located in the unique 5-Points area of East Nashville. The cafe is located just around the corner from Margot Cafe and across the street from Beyond the Edge and down the street from Red Wagon Restaurant.
BJRC/Cafe East 107 S. 11th St. Nashville, TN 37206 (615) 777-EAST (3278)
Tom chose the Chowda Combo which consisted of a cup of chowda, 3 clamcakes and a beer for $5.50. Not a bad price with a beautiful view of Newport's First Beach thrown in for free!
FLO'S CLAM SHACK SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 4 WAVE AVENUE MIDDLETOWN, RI
