See the 60 NEXTY Award finalists for Natural Products Expo East 2016
Innovation, inspiration and integrity elevated these natural products to NEXTY finalist status. See them all in Baltimore.
September 12, 2016
Lotus Foods Organic Red Rice What’s so great about this single-ingredient product? It's grown in Madagascar via System of Rice Intensification, a way of cultivating rice that can double and triple yields using 50 percent less water, less chemical input and fewer seeds. Did we mention that it’s nutty, sweet and uniquely delicious? Miyoko’s Kitchen Miyoko’s Creamery Aged English Smoked Farmhouse This smoky, flavorful, USDA Organic “cheese” is reminiscent of an aged, smoked Gouda. It’s made with cashews, chickpea miso, nutritional yeast, sea salt and cultures, resulting in a nuanced, smack-you-in-face tasty cheese substitute. Back To The Roots Biodynamic Cinnamon Clusters Back to the Roots continues to innovate in products that propel sustainable agriculture with Demeter Certified biodynamic cereal. Biodynamic practice regards the entire farm as one holistic entity, and this cereal proves it’s not just for farmers markets but for the grocery store aisle, too.
Garden of Flavor Cold-Pressed Energy Even Red Bull enthusiasts will embrace this clean, delicious energy beverage that employs the pep-you-up powers of guayusa, a plant native to the Amazon rainforest and similar to yerba mate. This full-spectrum drink revs up mornings, afternoons or late-night study marathons. Pukka Herbs Detox with Lemon Tea Our favorite variety in the detox line is the Detox with Lemon tea blend, a beautiful amalgamation of USDA Organic and fully traceable herbs and spices. Also cool: Pukka is totally dedicated to sustainable sourcing, from the ingredients in the tea bag to the organic cotton string secured to it. REBBL Super Herbs Elixirs It’s rare to find a functional beverage that tastes like a treat, but REBBL’s trio of new elixirs fit the bill in taste and efficacy. But REBBL truly captured our hearts with its collaboration with Not For Sale, an organization that works to end human trafficking.
Matchabar Iced Matcha Tea MatchaBar is right on time and right on target with its ready-to-drink bottles of the trendy tea. A peach flavor may sound a long way from the “ceremonial grade” promised on the label, but it’s a nice entry point for the matcha curious. Tio Gazpacho Is soup the next drink? Tio Gazpacho answers a resounding yes. It tastes about like you’d expect of a drink with “gazpacho” in the name, but the surprise is how refreshing it feels to sip soup from a bottle. Tio Gazpacho will open the soup-as-beverage category to many a curious consumer. Cham Cold Brewed Wellness Tea Tea has long been viewed by many as a good-for-you beverage, but Cham’s offering of Greek Mountain Tea opens up a whole new slew of benefits. The company promises “favorable effects on respiratory organs” as well as a strategy for “preventing and alleviating cold and flu.” That’s a lot to pack into a bottle, but the taste is what will win repeat customers.
Tasty Bite Spice & Simmer To make complex, globally inspired dishes more approachable, Tasty Bite breaks down the process into a few easy steps by providing whole spices, marinades and simmer sauces bundled together. It grows many of its own ingredients and uses sugarcane waste as a source of renewable energy. Michele’s Granola Ginger Hemp Granola Michele Tsucalas’s company makes chunky, flavorful granola with on-trend ingredients like hemp and ginger and powers its bakery with 100 percent windpower. It also donates 1 percent of its sales to support local food organizations in its home state of Maryland—proof that small companies can make a difference. Ancient Harvest POW! Pasta Meals These new one-pot boxed meals scored points for packing 15 grams of plant-based protein and 6 grams of fiber into a serving via ingredients like lentils, beans and quinoa. They’re also gluten free and Non-GMO Project verified.
Annie's Pea B&J Pockets These cleaned-up grab-and-go sandwiches deliver on taste and innovation. The key ingredient, peas, replaces the allergenic peanut butter. To explore such ingredients shows Annie’s parent company General Mills’ commitment to cleaning up standard products to invite crossover consumers. Bonafide Provisions Restorative Bone Broth Bonafide Provisions solidifies bone broth as a category by freezing it, which makes it accessible to those not yet ready to delve into making it themselves. We love that the company commits to sourcing only farm-raised, grass fed-and-finished beef bones and free-roaming chickens. Sweet Earth Natural Foods World Artisan Bowls, General Tso's Tofu Sweet Earth Natural Foods has been cleaning up the freezer case while making it delicious with vegetarian offerings that never fail to amaze. We especially love that Sweet Earth is committed to going the extra mile to source organic for some harder-to-source ingredients.
Sea Watch Health Watch Mediterranean Clam Soup A new, Mediterranean, veggie-forward take on clam soup. At only 320 milligrams of sodium per serving, this healthful, whole-food seafood soup can make consumers feel good about enjoying this classic coastal indulgence in a convenient, clean-label product. Milton’s Local Bacon Sausage In an effort to reduce food waste, Milton’s Local griends the ends it trims from its thick-cut bacon with other all-natural ground pork and spices to make a premium sausage. The hogs are raised on multigenerational family farms without the use of antibiotics, hormones or steroids. Fatworks Leaf Lard With a focus on the return to the no-waste, nose-to-tail philosophy, Leaf Lard is bringing back traditional cooking fats sourced from pasture-raised animals from small, independent family farms. Fatworks Leaf Lard is an almost flavorless, fine-filtered cooking lard with a fatty acid profile that makes it incredible for baking.
Good Seed Curried Sweet Potato Hempseed Burger This is a line of grain-free, paleo-friendly, whole-food alternative burgers with full flavor and impeccable quality. Good Seed is pioneering the ways in which hemp, a sustainable and easily digestible ingredient, is showcased with unique flavor profiles. Hilary’s Frozen Veggie Breakfast Sausages Breakfast is often loaded with ingredients that make it difficult for those who suffer from food allergies or celiac disease to enjoy classic breakfast staples. These flavorful meat alternative breakfast sausages, crafted with plant-based whole foods such as millet, lentils and hemp seeds, offer a satisfying alternative. Lightlife Foods Smart Menu Veggie Meatballs We were impressed that these alternative meatballs have the same delicious taste and texture of a traditional meatball, but are vegan and contain half the calories and fat. These would make a suitable meatless substitute but can also be enjoyed on their own.
Crazy Go Nuts All-Natural Gourmet Walnut Spreads Crazy Go Nuts utilizes a nut that has been largely forgotten in the nut butter space. It's a good move for two reasons: first, walnuts are arguably the healthiest nuts, packed with 100 percent of the daily recommended value of omega-3 fats; and second, this superfood snack is delicious. Lotus Foods Arare Rice Cracker, Sriracha This new take on a Japanese classic is perfect for anyone wanting a gluten-free snack. The Arare Rice Cracker is made with organic brown and heirloom black rice that’s sourced by its More Crop Per Drop method. With such a strong social and environmental mission, conscious consumers can feel good about snacking on these. JicaChips This innovative snack caught our eye and tastebuds with its clean label. The first-ever chip made from the nutrient-dense root vegetable jicama, these gluten-free, non-GMO chips have 30 percent fewer calories and 80 percent less fat than most potato chips.
Kite Hill Vegan Ricotta Cheese The humanity of plant-based diets is elevated by Kite Hill’s vegan cheeses. The secret is in the cultured almond milk, and from it comes a fine fresh ricotta as buoyant as any. On a cracker drizzled with honey, or baked into a lasagna, it shows that making cheese is about art, not udders. Siete Family Foods Almond Flour Tortillas Gluten-free burritos get an upgrade with the help of these grain-free, paleo, non-GMO, dairy-free and preservative-free tortillas. Sturdy, flexible—especially when heated—and tasty, they come in vegan almond flour or coconut and cassava varieties. Wildway Grain-Free Instant Hot Cereal Boasting “the first paleo and low-carb hot cereal option to market,” Wildway’s grain-free instant hot cereal is just as easy—add boiling water and stir—as any oatmeal packet, but made only of nutrient-packed nuts, seeds and coconut flour.
Primal Kitchen Vinaigrette Dressings and Marinades Primal Kitchen has come up with a well-balanced and delicious complement to any salad. Perfect for drizzling on salads or marinating meat, the avocado and oil of herb-based vinaigrette are full of antioxidants. We love how packed full of flavorful herbs it is, and how a little can go a long way. Maple Guild Organic Maple Cream The single-ingredient syrup is delicately spun into a cream consistency, showcasing maple in a way not often seen outside of New England. The unique steam-crafted method used to make it is what really stood out to us. Tin Star Foods 100% Grassfed Brown Butter Ghee A great replacement for cooking oils and butter, ghee has been used in kitchens in India for thousands of years. Tin Star Food’s Brown Butter Ghee is made by gently allowing the milk solids to toast over an open flame, creating an amazing, nutty caramel flavor profile.
Project 7 Gourmet Organic Gummies Project 7’s mission is to give back to seven areas of need across the globe while also bringing great flavor back into your day. Its Gourmet Organic Gummies are made with natural ingredients, no artificial colors or dyes, and no gluten. We love this philanthropic spin on a classic treat. Pure Genius Deep Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Chunk Blondie These rich, fudgy brownies and blondies are made with more than 40 percent chickpeas, so they're packed with fiber and protein and just 11 grams of sugar. Boasting an extremely clean label, these decadent treats are on our radar. Bella Lucia Gluten-Free Pizzelle Waffle Cookies Bella Lucia combines old-world flavor and texture with new world dietary needs. These traditional Italian waffle cookies have no additives or preservatives, and are gluten-free without giving up flavor or taste. They come in unique flavors including Anise, a spice that has long been used for digestive issues.
Goddess Garden Under the Sun Pre-Sunscreen Serum Standout mineral sun care brand Goddess Garden is becoming a go-to for safe skin care solutions such as this well-formulated product, which replenishes key vitamins that skin can lose as a result of sun exposure. Nail 17 An industry once based solely on the idea of being “free-from” common chemicals, nontoxic personal care is becoming increasingly solutions-oriented as a way to earn consumer trust and loyalty. Nail17 is a prime example: The pure, performance-driven product targets the 17 key bacteria that can lead to nail issues like fungus. P3 Primal Tough Teeth P3’s new oral care line uses traditional, time-tested oral care rituals to help consumers rethink their modern, often chemical-laden routines. This tooth powder uses strengthening, freshening ingredients including kaolin clay, organic peppermint essential oil and myrrh powder.
EuroPharma Sucontral D We love seeing a new entrant into the blood sugar-support space, as until now there's been scant supplement support beyond chromium. And for a mere 60 cents daily, those challenged with maintaining healthy blood-sugar levels can benefit by this formula.
Healthy Skoop Sleep Protein Mixed simply with water or plant milk, the tiramisu flavor tastes quite yummy and is packed with a nutritional combination that’s sure to bring on the relaxation, including an efficacious 500 mg of L-Tryptophan, a one-to-one ratio of calcium/magnesium, and tart cherry with naturally occurring melatonin. EuroPharma Curamin Headache One of the more comprehensive products we’ve seen on the market, Curamin Headache leans on the proven benefits of formulated curcumin and goes the extra measure to replace lost nutrients due to stress with formulated Boswellia, DLPA and TRAACS magnesium. Vibrant Health Vibrant Flora: Improved Bowel Support Clinically formulated Vibrant Health Vibrant Flora packs the probiotic punch with 100 billion live cultures per serving, plus a broad spectrum of prebiotics and a host of additional ingredients that support normal bowel health. Plus it’s gluten-free, non-GMO and easy to consume daily.
Redd Remedies Curcumin C3 Reduct Chewable As the first chewable curcumin on the market, these are great for pill-wary adults and kids. Plus, Curcumin C3 Reduct is colorless and non-staining. Carlson Laboratories, Inc. Carlson Baby's DHA For nursing mothers who aren’t already supplementing with omega-3 DHA daily, this liquid format helps that score. The easy-fill syringe allows moms to add DHA to formula, food or straight under the baby’s tongue. At about a dollar a dose, it’s a great way to ensure they receive the high-quality DHA their growing brains and eyes require. EuroPharma CuraMed Effervescent Terry Naturally has introduced a dollar-a-tablet effervescent fizzy tablet packed full of curcumin plus a little ginger for extra ease in digesting. Even though the drink has that tell-tale golden curcumin color, it won’t stain teeth. Just fizzy sunshine that provides 135 mg of curcuminoids in a glass.
EcoSouLife Bamboo Picnic Set Usually, sustainable tableware is one of two things—biodegradeable or reusable. Why not both? EcoSouLife answers that question in style with this durable 24-piece picnic set creatively formulated from bamboo, corn and rice husks, then packed in a travel-ready jute bag. Buckley Pet Ruff Puffs Instead of the conventional mix of preservatives and artificial flavors, Ruff Puffs offer natural, canine-approved taste profiles with a healthy base of navy bean grits and sorghum. These treats capitalize on the trend of human-grade pet food that’s truly craveable. Elyptol Antimicrobial Hand Gel Sanitizer Recently launched in North America, Elyptol offers a full range of natural skin sanitization products that kill 99.99 percent of germs with a clean, safe botanical formula. Naturally sourced pure ethanol (produced by grains and sugar cane) is combined with eucalyptus oil and organic moisturizing ingredients to nourish skin while it sanitizes.
Cocokind Organic Baby Line The line of baby products boasts only four ingredients: organic virgin coconut oil, organic sunflower oil, organic jojoba oil and infused organic chamomile flowers, resulting in a light, moisture-locking feel. The simple ingredient list reaffirms Cocokind’s commitment to transparency and delivers a product that baby and parent can enjoy. American Health Ester-C Kidstiks Parents looking for a child multivitamin alternative to chalky chewables or sticky gummies will rejoice in these. Each powder stick dissolves into a lightly flavored beverage that delivers the essential vitamins and minerals to support a child’s growing body. Luxebaby Inc. Poof Diapers 3.0 Poof Diapers provide a middle ground alternative for parents looking to ditch the average diaper, but still want something more convenient than cloth. These biodegradable diapers are designed to start breaking down four to six months after disposal.
Eco Lips Inc. POGO We already loved this Certified B Corporation for its commitments organic ingredients and renewable energy. Its new product, POGO, is a refillable lip balm applicator made from 100 percent recycled content that comes with a variety of fair trade certified, free balm sticks that fit inside. Back to the Roots Garden-in-a-Can Kids can learn how to grow organic herbs any time of year with this kit-in-a-can that contains seeds, soil and biochar. The can is 100 percent recyclable and uses vegetable ink, and Back to the Roots has an initiative that donates them to elementary school classrooms, too. La Colombe Draft Latte This company mixes cold-pressed espresso and frothed milk in a pressurized can that froths the beverage when it’s opened. A sip-through lid also keeps the drinker from the jarring sensation of a cold can against their lips.
Sol Simple LLC Solar Dried Organic Mangos Sun-ripened and solar-dried, these additive-free snacks are sweet, tasty and tender. Along with that comes a rich narrative of farmer relationships. The company is there “every step of the way,” working directly with Nicaraguan farmers on each batch—a story told well on every bag. The Jackfruit Co.'s Original Jackfruit The meaty texture, high-fiber, allergen-friendly recipes and great stewed-in flavors are mere details in this NEXTY finalist. What we love about the Jackfruit Co. is the direct relationships with farmers, the low-impact agriculture and the company’s commitment to both. King Arthur Flour Identity Preserved White Whole Wheat This flour starts with seed certified to be of pure wheat varieties and grown using farming practices like crop rotation and no-till—which is less disruptive to the soil microbiome and keeps carbon in the soil. King Arthur states this product is traceable from field to flour.
RUNA Mint Honeysucle Ready to Drink Tea RUNA’s unsweetened tea is delicious with its subtle honeysuckle sweetness. What we appreciate most, though, is RUNA’s deep commitment to the Amazonian rainforest and its indigenous communities, which is clear in its story and reinforced through both its for-profit business and not-for-profit organization. Organic India Lift Pouches Organic India’s commitment to serving consumers and the environment through high-quality ingredients and farming practices show here. The company’s values are demonstrated in its sourcing and regenerative farming practices, its B Corp commitments and the integrity of its business practices. Honest Pet Products ECO-CATTY PILLAR In a market where most pet toy options are made using chemical-laden plastics and fabrics and constructed by inexpensive and morally questionable labor practices, Honest Pet Products provide a feel-good opportunity to support better environmental and labor practices.
RUNA Mint Honeysucle Ready to Drink Tea RUNA’s unsweetened tea is delicious with its subtle honeysuckle sweetness. What we appreciate most, though, is RUNA’s deep commitment to the Amazonian rainforest and its indigenous communities, which is clear in its story and reinforced through both its for-profit business and not-for-profit organization. Organic India Lift Pouches Organic India’s commitment to serving consumers and the environment through high-quality ingredients and farming practices show here. The company’s values are demonstrated in its sourcing and regenerative farming practices, its B Corp commitments and the integrity of its business practices. Honest Pet Products ECO-CATTY PILLAR In a market where most pet toy options are made using chemical-laden plastics and fabrics and constructed by inexpensive and morally questionable labor practices, Honest Pet Products provide a feel-good opportunity to support better environmental and labor practices.
The New Hope Network content team had a hard task in narrowing down more than 360 product nominations to this outstanding group of NEXTY Award finalists. The NEXTY Awards, given out at Natural Products Expo West and Natural Products Expo East, hinge on three criteria: innovation, inspiration and integrity. These are products that show truly creative thinking and execution; adhere to a mission with wide-reaching potential; or take a new approach to clean ingredients, sustainability or transparency.
Here are the 60 NEXTY finalists for Expo East 2016—there are three finalists in each of the 20 categories. One winner from each category will be selected by a panel of industry judges and delivered their award on the show floor Friday, Sept. 23. Those winners will be announced on newhope.com the following week.
Check out all the finalists here and be sure to visit these booths at Expo East in Baltimore so you can see these inspiring, innovative and integrity-driven products yourself.
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