Best New Organic Beverage

Good Culture Probiotic Smoothies

Knowing that good health starts in the gut, Good Culture (you know them for their simple, thick and creamy cottage cheese) has created a convenient, perfectly sized kefir smoothie that delivers a whopping dose of 35 billion CFU of live and active cultures. Naturally sweetened with organic fruit juice and dates and made from organic milk sourced from Midwestern small family farms (with herds averaging 60 cows), these on-the-go functional drinks contain 12 culture strains that thrive best in dairy. The company contributes 1% of sales to regenerative agriculture organizations and is currently pending B Corp certification.

The Living Apothecary Fruit-ful Water Kefir Watermelon Basil

These functional and eye-opening beverages combine sophisticated fruit pairings with water kefir for a 45-calorie option that contains 2 billion probiotic CFU. Each one is handcrafted, brewed and bottled in-house at The Living Apothecary headquarters in Richmond, California, where they treat their kefir grains like kings, providing them their own room and two dedicated kefir water whisperers who take gentle care of them. Kefir water is a milder, gut-benefitting alternative to kombucha, and it has been used for centuries by indigenous cultures to boost immunity and aid digestion. We love that it this refreshing bev is only sweetened by organic fruit juices.

Enroot Sparkling Cold Brew Tea

Combining organic sparkling cold brew teas with highly flavorful combinations of herbals and juices, Enroot is a low-calorie, all-natural drinking experience that satisfied every judge on our panel. In a world where it’s easier for a woman to become a CEO than a head chef, this female-led and B Corp-certified company proudly supports the James Beard Women’s Leadership Programs, which works to advance diversity and parity in the food community. Enroot is the first startup in food and beverage to create a comprehensive responsible sourcing policy with SCS Global Services. Enroot works with SCS to continuously audit and identify ways to be more responsible and sustainable, such as ensuring their suppliers adhere to its certifications, no use of plastics and reducing its carbon footprint by moving its bottle mold and production to the U.S.

Best New Mission-Based Product

Soñar! Foods Grain Free Organic Tortilla Chips

A Latin-owned company, Soñar! means “to dream.” In a nation of dreamers, the female co-founded snack brand’s mission is to celebrate Latin culture. Soñar! does this with their organic, grain-free chips by donating 1% of sales to the Latino Community Foundation. With every bag of delicious chips you purchase, you help cultivate leaders and changemakers. In this period of unrest, communities of color continue to experience discrimination, under representation and inequality. Soñar! raises awareness that diversity is underrepresented in all walks of life. This includes the natural products industry, which has a long way to go to ensure products are inclusive of all cultures coexisting in America.

A Dozen Cousins Heirloom Rice Mix

With its new Heirloom Rice Mix, A Dozen Cousins celebrates diversity of cultures by resurrecting heirloom and heritage varieties of rice prominent among the African Diaspora. A Dozen Cousins brings consumers the opportunity to experience African culture by sourcing heirloom rice such as Carolina Gold Rice recently revived since it’s production (by slaves) was abandoned after the civil war, Brazilian long grain rice representing African-inspired food of Bahia, and Nigerian Ofada rice—a West African foodway. This brand brings consumers awareness of foods important to Africans around the world while bringing the African Diaspora in the better-for-you, equitable food movement.

LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher

LifeStraw first began with a mission to provide portable water filtration options for outdoor adventurers miles away from clean drinking water. But now, LifeStraw’s works to improve clean water access across the globe. Through LifeStraw’s Give Back program, every LifeStraw product purchase ensures that one child in need receives clean water for an entire school year, providing more than 3 million children access to safe water to date. To ensure program success and effectiveness, LifeStraw maintains local, on-the-ground presence to assess needs, monitor usage, report on population health, educate teachers and children about health, hygiene and the value of clean water. This is a product with a mission emblematic of purpose-driven commerce that empowers communities around the globe to have access to our most fundamental human need.

LOOP Mission LOOP Juices

Loop and circularity are becoming recognizable terms in the lexicon of sustainability to replace linear, short-term, end-of-life systems. LOOP Mission saw the value and opportunity in misfit produce by building a manufacturing facility on the property of a major produce distributor. Turning 16 tons of wasted fruit and vegetables a day, LOOP Mission offers delicious fruit juices with hidden superfoods and veggies and helps diminish the world’s growing food waste issue. The founders didn’t stop their opportunistic thinking there though—they innovated against their own waste stream by upcycling their juiced pulp into dog treats and pizza crusts, and even orange peels distilled into liquor. It’s a whole new look at ‘one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.’    

Best Environmentally Responsible Packaging

Sun & Swell Foods Clean Cookie Bites

Flexible film pouches are a large focus for today’s sustainable packaging movement, and breakthroughs haven’t been easy to come by. Yet Sun & Swell Foods, a young 1% for the Planet brand with tasty USDA-certified Organic snack bites has put sustainable packaging at the heart of their mission. Its whole food Clean Cookie Bites are packaged in compostable stand-up flexible film pouches with responsible labeling for consumer education—both innovation and messaging which the industry needs to see more of.

Bhoomi Cane Water Elixers

Bhoomi (“Mother Earth” in Sanskrit) is the first certified low-glycemic cane water company in the U.S. making Ayurveda inspired super-botanical elixirs. Partnering with minority sugarcane farmers in Louisiana, Bhoomi works to address equitable economies, focus on regenerative practices and compost its sugarcane waste. In a packaging study with the Climate Collaborative, Bhoomi identified a substantial impact of moving away from a fossil fuel-based plastic. This inspired their commitment to launch a new, recyclable, 100% sugarcane-based biopolymer bottle.

Numi Organic Tea Plant-based Tea Wrappers

When it comes to pushing sustainable packaging forward, Numi is at the forefront. As co-founders of the OSC2 Packaging Collaborative, Numi has always been dedicated to packaging innovation to reduce environmental impact. The culmination of 10-plus years of work, its Plant-Based Tea Wrappers utilize a thin non-GMO sugarcane PLA layer and a metalized layer made of eucalyptus. That’s not to mention the 90% post-consumer recycled tea boxes with FSC-certified paper, soy-based inks and biodegradable Manila hemp tea bags. On top of it all, Numi is Fair Trade Certified, USDA-certified Organic, and a B Corp, to name a few of its many certifications.

Oteas Strawberries & Cream

Oteas, a young, UK-based tea company is a Plastic Free™ company, certified by A Plastic Planet. It achieved this certification by delivering its biodegradable tea bags in a plant-based, home compostable PLA plastic bag, housed within a recyclable box using FSC-certified recycled paper. In addition to being a 1% for the Planet company, Oteas clearly educates consumers on how it can properly dispose of its product on its packaging.  

Best New Meat, Dairy or Animal-Based Product

Danone/Two Good Greek Yogurt

When it comes to high sugar, yogurt is a notorious culprit. While low-sugar yogurts exist, Danone North America innovated with a patent-pending slow-strain process to reduce the sugar content of its delicious, thick Greek yogurt to just two grams with its new Two Good line. Plus, the milk for the product comes from a fully traceable network of dairy farmers, with most of it coming from five multi-generational family farms with which Danone has direct relationships. The certified B Corp is on a mission to support its farmers and push sustainable packaging solutions forward.

Sausage Queen Seemore Meats & Veggies Sausages

Today’s consumers are becoming more conscious of their meat consumption, seeking healthy flexitarian options. Seemore Meats and Veggies Sausages mix Global Animal Partnership-certified pork with vegetables such as beets and fennel to create fun flavors like Loaded Baked Potato and La Dolce-Beet-a. Further, Seemore purchases carbon offsets associated with its sausage production to make its product carbon neutral.

Handsome Brook Farm Chikaraka Egg-Based Yogurt

The nation's leading producer of organic pasture raised eggs, Handsome Brook Farms offers a delicious and creamy egg-based yogurt to satisfy those with a dairy allergy. An alternative to dairy-free plant-based yogurt, you can find one whole organic pasture raised egg in each cup, offering high protein and clean ingredients. Working closely with 75 small family farms in regional models, Handsome Brook Farms show that you can create delicious, animal-based products while caring for hens, farmers and the planet.

Patagonia Provisions Atlantic Mackerel

In typical Patagonia Provisions fashion, the certified B Corp and 1% For the Planet company launched a product to bring an environmentally beneficial ingredient to market. Mackerel, a neglected and underutilized fish, is high in protein, omega-3s and B-12 vitamins. Being low in the food chain, these fish quickly reproduce and are sourced from a fisherman co-op in Spain that has been using the same hook and line method for over 100 years. Patagonia Provisions thoroughly evaluated the co-op before partnering with them, working with The Good Fish Foundation to find that the fishery was ultimately rated equivalent to Seafood Watch’s “Best Choice.”

Best New Natural Living Product

Better Life Power-Strips Laundry Detergent

A Better Life has created a line of laundry detergent strips that rid the world of one more plastic detergent tub and are positioned at an accessible price point of only $14.99 for 48 loads. These detergent strips thankfully lack virgin plastic and their reduced weight and volume allow for a dramatic reduction in transportation carbon footprint. This product stood out for delivering big innovation for your laundry room with a tiny eco footprint for the planet.

Bears for Humanity Cuddly Soft Brown Bear

From farm to fulfillment, Bears for Humanity’s toys use only certified organic cotton filled with recycled Polyethylene (chemical, pesticide and heavy-metal free). Apart from adorable cuddliness, this product really stood out for its commitment to its mission—sustainable, organic plush toys that help employ and uplift men and women from poverty by providing fair living wage jobs across the globe. This company also donates toys to children in need through its Buy One, Give One program.

Abeego The Reusable Beeswax Food Wrap That Breathes

According to USDA research, in the U.S., food waste is estimated at between 30-40% of the food supply. For our team, Abeego—the zero-waste, reusable beeswax food wrap—is a must-have for everyone’s pantry to play a role in combatting this major problem. This company stood out for a handful of reasons: its use of organic cotton, the product is compostable after a year’s use and Abeego is focused on ensuring all of its employees receive a living wage.

Best Condition-Specific Supplement

LifeSeasons NeuroQ

Truly inspired and innovative, NeuroQ is formulated in partnership with world-renowned Alzheimer’s disease researcher Dr. Dale Bredesen to support cognitive health. Featuring an exclusive blend of clinically-backed ingredients, the formula has been rigorously tested for ingredient identity, purity, and potency—then tested for efficacy within clinical trials that validate including this formula as part of an integrative lifestyle approach to lifelong cognitive health and function.

Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals Complete Calm

Daily stressors can really hyperstimulate our nervous systems. A traditional approach to calming the body, quieting the mind and supporting deep sleep offers a sustainable way to maintaining health and ease in the world. We love this clean, USDA-certified Organic approach to supporting cortisol levels. The opposite of a pharmaceutical, Complete Calm offers consumers ease and well-being naturally with full integrity.

Nutri-Rich Corporation Prenatal Multi-vitamin

Finally, an innovative prenatal formula that places all of the essential nutrients needed for pregnancy to support the growth and development of babies prenatally in one easy-to-swallow softgel capsule. We were inspired by the straightforward formula, containing all the nutrients required in efficacious doses, without overdoing it or unnecessary ingredients and additives. An inspired product that soon-to-be mothers can tolerate, while supporting their growing baby.

Best New Condiment

Tessemae's Organic Mayo Line

OK, first—it tastes great. Next come the quality standards: USDA-certified Organic, homemade quality, shelf stable and gum free. That last detail was a big challenge for the company as it launched its salad dressings 10 years ago. It’s why it owns its full manufacturing, and that points to its uncompromising standards. We’re also inspired by work its done to support other newcomer brands in the area. Judges loved all those things for sure, and we especially loved the flavor.

Burma Love Foods Company Fermented Tea Leaf Dressing

The secret sauce of San Francisco restaurant Burma Superstar’s famous laphet thoke, or tea leaf salad, is making its way to a growing number of retail outlets. Available in vegan, traditional or spicy, the savory and energizing dressing invites culinary exploration beyond its historical use. While most ingredients are sourced locally in the Bay Area, the (super) star ingredient—top quality organic tea—comes from high in the Namshan mountains of Burma.

Truly Turmeric Whole Root Turmeric Paste

By creating a partnership with 350 wildcrafters and small-scale growers in Belize, Truly Turmeric boasts a turmeric paste with two-and-a-half times the curcuminoids and increased bioavailability. The partnership means economic viability for the growers who receive vastly more than traditional turmeric growers. The paste consists of fresh turmeric root with cold-pressed coconut oil, fresh lime juice, sea salt and forest-grown black pepper, and can be added to dressings, used as a condiment or in recipes calling for turmeric powder.

Best New Personal Care or Beauty Product

Ah! YES VM Vaginal Moisturizer

The latest miracle skin cream or must-try hair oil may get the most buzz, but when it comes to nontoxic personal care, feminine care could very well be the most noteworthy. This growing category deserves to take center stage, catering to a growing demand for clean and pure products that address common feminine health needs. Our finalist from Ah! YES is an exemplary example. The vaginal moisturizer offers a solution to a problem experienced by the majority of menopausal women by replacing commonly used glycerine, mineral oil and silicon-based formulations with plant polymers in a formulation crafted to maintain or restore the vagina’s natural pH balance. More reasons to say YES? It has achieved organic certification from Europe’s The Soil Association, verifying the product’s purity and commitment to environmental sustainability.  

Bare Republic Sunscreen Gel Lotion SPF 30

For today’s consumers, holistic health and well-being is about much more than eating nutritious foods—it’s about feeding your skin nontoxic ingredients, nourishing the planet so it will nurture generations to come and being more mindful about nearly every aspect of life. A recent example: the booming mineral sun care category, which is touted for its for human and environmental health benefits. Of course, the integrity of this product is there. And what really stood out in a sea of (eco) conscious sun care was its innovation. Bare Republic delivered on a novel sunscreen delivery that works—the totally sheer gel applies smooth and clear, made with non-nano zinc and soothing plants. Indeed, it’s a bright spot in the sun care space.   

Ora Organic Aloe Gorgeous

While collagen has taken the world of vitality supplements by storm, it’s not the only solution for consumers craving beauty from within. Ora Organic’s Aloe Gorgeous imparts great wisdom—that healthy, glowing skin is just a plant-based blend away. This is music to the ears of the growing number of consumers seeking an alternative to animal products for the sake of their health and the health of the planet. Because collagen is naturally occurring in the body and some key ingredients can help stimulate its production, this product is a welcome addition to the nutricosmetics space. The vegan, collagen-boosting powder is packed with aloe vera, protein, silica and vitamins C and E and is certified organic. All boxes: checked.

Nelson Naturals Crush & Brush Toothpaste Tablets

Raise your hand if you’re trying to reduce plastics in your life … Raise your hand if your toothpaste still comes in a plastic tube … Hands down and Enter Nelson Naturals. This company created a potentially zero-waste solution for a that product that we all use every day, multiple times a day. The toothpaste tablets (more on this in a second) come in a plastic-free, refillable package that is super convenient for travel and reduces toothpaste’s environmental impact. As for the tablets themselves, they’re made with 100% food grade ingredients, including activated charcoal, xylitol and organic peppermint. Chomping a tablet and brushing as normal may not come naturally, but it’s easy enough to adopt the new habit—and we guarantee it will give you something to smile about.

Best New Natural Kids Product

Dalla Costa Alimentare srl. Sport Shapes Pasta – Red Lentils

Suitable for picky eaters and health-conscious caregivers, Dalla Costa Alimentare srl gets kid-friendly pasta right with its sports shapes red lentil pasta. Made only with organic red lentil flour, a common rotational crop that is a “giver” by nourishing soil health, this is yet another product that champions the importance of organic in childhood nutrition while catering to gluten-free eaters. With its fun shape and color, this pasta is sure to be a hit at the dinner table.

Zego Foods Peace.Love.Crispies Cereal

Championing organic ingredients is important to our judging team, but particularly so when it comes to kid's products. Zego Foods is living up to that standard in big ways. Women-owned and a certified B Corp, Zego's commitment to transparency is, well, transparent. The organic rice from its one-ingredient Peace.Love.Crispies Cereal is sourced from Lotus Foods' regenerative, responsible supply and Zego can prove it's of the highest quality thanks to its rigorous purity testing. The cereal box features a QR code to scan for all information about ingredient test results. This product sells itself and sets the bar mighty high for the future of the cereal aisle. We can’t imagine anything less for our children.

Oilogic Essential Oil Care Oil My Goodness Kids 3-in-1 Bath Treatment

Oil My Goodness Kids 3-in-1 Bath Treatment by Oilogic is making it easy to expose kids to the power of essential oils. While many essential oils might be too strong on their own to use on children, Oilogic has created a formula with 100% pure essential oils that has just enough scent without being too overbearing for little ones. Not to mention it's free of synthetic fragrance, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petroleum, DEA, dyes, mineral oil, gluten and eye-numbing agents, making it a safe option to gently cleanse kids.

Best New Product Supporting a Healthy Microbiome

Organic India Psyllium Pre & Probiotic Fiber

Not just another psyllium fiber product, this innovative formulation addresses digestive comfort, but also supports heart health and microbiome support with a combination of fibers, Ayurvedic botanicals, prebiotics and a probiotic blend. Organic India’s Psyllium Pre & Probiotic Fiber basically provide an inspired “one-stop-shop” for your gut microbiome and digestive well-being. That’s not to mention Organic India’s strong integrity with its sourcing. The USDA-certified Organic, vegan-keto-paleo friendly product means anyone can feel good using this daily.

For the Biome Shield Face Serum

For the Biome takes our notions of the microbiome to a whole new level. Our skin interacts with both the outer environment and our inner cellular health. This concept has inspired the development of entirely new approach to wellness. Formulated with intense detail to the efficacious nature and high quality of each ingredient, For the Biome’s Shield Face Serum’s unique formula includes sustainably sourced Astaxanthin plus botanicals that deliver moisture to the skin’s deepest layers—with elevated “bioactivity” that can only be found in CO² volcanic extracts. Good for you, and the planet.

Renew Life Herholistic Menopause, Prenatal and Period Line

Part of a new line of probiotic and botanical products from Renew Life formulated to support women’s life stage challenges specifically, the Herholistic line is designed to help address women’s unique hormone-related challenges. An innovative approach to common life challenges, the formula contains unique clinically tested probiotics blended with hops to support cooling things down systemically. With integrity Renew Life stays true to the idea that wellness begins in the gut!

Best New Frozen Product

Applegate Farms Well Carved Meatballs

We’re big fans of the “blended” approach to meat products, which combines meat and plants to ultimately reduce the amount of animal protein used. It feels like an inclusive approach to conscious consumption, and Applegate Farms brings the concept to the frozen category with its delicious meatballs that combine high-quality organic veggies and legumes with animal protein. Like all of the company’s products, its Well Carved Meatballs support its mission to build a better food system that focuses on humanely raised meats, family farms and industrywide collaboration. Applegate’s holistic approach to developing responsible meat products is a game changer for the industry and an important step in rebuilding consumer confidence in the meat industry.

JUST Folded JUST Egg

Whether you’re looking to eliminate animal protein from your diet or are simply seeking nutritious and convenient plant-based alternatives for your daily life, the Folded JUST Egg is a revelation. This product taps into the ancient wisdom of the protein-packed mung bean (regularly used in Asia, though not nearly as common an ingredient in the U.S.) to create a shockingly convincing (and non-GMO) egg alternative that requires little prep to plop into a breakfast sandwich or chop into a stir-fry. Thanks to the tireless work of the product development team and food scientists, this product is not only spot on in terms of texture and flavor but its star ingredient became only the seventh plant protein isolate to receive FDA GRAS status. This is more than a great product; it’s a force with far-reaching market implications and a measurable environmental impact thanks to ingredients that consume 98% less water and emit 93% less CO² than animal proteins. Now we can safely say the egg came first!

Base Culture Original Keto Bread 

Sometimes the greatest innovations emerge when a simple product is executed really, really well. Anyone who has followed a paleo or keto diet knows that finding a perfect bread can be a rather daunting task; this company and our finalist product was born out of Base Culture founder Jordann Windschauer-Amatea’s own quest for paleo products done right. When in doubt, do it yourself. The low-carb, nutrient-packed finalist is made with wholesome ingredients such as almond butter, golden flax and honey that taste amazing and are good for you, too. But the real secret ingredient may be the fact that the company keeps all of its production in house to ensure that only the highest quality ingredients go in and top-notch products go out. The best thing since sliced bread is right.

Best New Hemp-CBD Product

CBDfx Turmeric and Spriulina Gummies

Gummies can be a challenge to make, but these gummies from CBDfx do not have that over-the-top hempiness about them—nor, for that matter, the color of turmeric or the dank of spirulina. That’s no easy feat. Plus, a sprinkling of organic sugar makes them glisten like the trichomes from Humboldt County. We like how the brand embraces natural superfoods, which makes this stand out from other hemp gummies. The hemp CBD oil is extracted using supercritical CO², which is clean. Further, each batch of gummies is independently tested by third-party labs for quality.

Gaia Herbs Hemp & Herbs Calm

Leave it to Gaia to develop a thoughtfully curated formulation that would stand on its own as a traceable, transparent, high-quality botanical blend. In this case, using holy basil, lavender, American skullcap, milky oats and magnolia to bring about a sense of tranquility. They then supercharge the formulation with organic hemp at 20 mg CBD per serving. As part of its mission, Gaia Herbs donates 5% of profits from its hemp product sales to programs that support and empower small U.S. family farms. Through Gaia Herbs’ industry-leading Meet Your Herbs traceability program, customers can enter the ID number located on the back of any Gaia Herbs product to learn where each ingredient came from, how the herbs were grown, harvested and extracted, and the tests the product underwent to validate its purity, integrity and potency. Gaia Herbs is also a certified B Corp. Ommmm.

Reed’s Remedies Hemp Oil Targeted Oral Sprays

Sure, everybody loves the cannabinoid, CBD. And we keep hearing that there are other cannabinoids to pay attention to, and insiders speak glowingly of the terpenes within the plant—the aromatic components that also hold health benefits aside from the olfactory. Behold—this terpene-forward formulation with a delightful oral spray from female-founded company Reed’s Remedies. The hemp is extracted via uber-clean steam distillation and it’s certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority. Bring on the terps!

Spinster Sisters Co. Muscle Stuff with CBD

This roll-on hemp CBD looks like those orange push-up ice creams from the Good Humor man, but this won’t make you feel regret afterwards - quite the opposite. It smells nice, thanks to classic ingredients that both cool and warm the skin, including camphor, menthol, arnica, cayenne pepper, habanero peppers and essential oils to go along with the 250 mg of non-GMO CBD. It smells just divine. We also like the all-in enviro ethic from the woman-owned Spinster Sisters—the Colorado company is wind-powered and the product itself is biodegradable. There are no sulfates, phthalates, parabens or pesticides present. It makes for a nice, clean, convenient package for sore muscles.

Best New Meat or Dairy Alternative

Foodies Vegan Pumfu

Are you ready for this? Pumkin seed tofu. Yes, we were as surprised as you might be, which is why Foodies Vegan caught our eye with its USDA-certified Organic Pumfu. Made with just pumpkin seeds and water, this minimally processed, allergy-friendly soy alternative has a similar texture to traditional tofu and picks up flavors just the same. We love this innovative vegan option to slice, dice or fry up for all your plant-based needs.

Plant Perks Plant-Based Cheeze Spreads

The dairy-free crowd and cheese lovers can finally unite around Plant Perks Plant-Based Cheeze Spreads—a darn good alternative to the real deal. While there are other plant-based "cheese" spreads on the market, we love that Plant Perks' are certified organic and feature fair trade cashews, meaning Plant Perks pays more for its cashew supply, ensuring all farmers in the supply chain get fair wages. Not to mention it's extra creamy, making it a great pair with crackers, veggies or on its own. This is a dairy alternative we can get behind.

Harmless Harvest Organic Dairy-free Coconut Yogurt Alternative

You probably know Harmless Harvest for its coconut water, but now it's expanding into the plant-based yogurt space. Moving toward its zero-waste goal, Harmless Harvest's dairy-free yogurt uses the same coconuts for its coconut water as it does for its yogurt which, by the way, are USDA-certified Organic. Low in sugar and featuring clean ingredients, the dairy-free yogurt is creamy with a touch of sweetness (but not too much), making it an excellent way to start your day.

Best New Sweet Snack

Solely Fruit Jerky

Solely Fruit Jerky is a sweet snack you can feel good about. Made with three ingredients at most, each bar contains at least one piece of whole organic fruit concentrated down into a portable, shelf-stable bar with no added sugars or flavors. Solely achieves this through a patented cold-pressing process that retains more nutritional value than traditional processing methods (and produces a delicious product!).  Not only is this Fruit Jerky USDA-certified Organic, but its parent company works with farms in Mexico to convert to organic farming and utilizes “ugly” produce that would have otherwise gone to waste.

Wyman’s of Maine Just Fruit & Greek Yogurt

The name says it all—this frozen treat contains just fruit and Greek yogurt. Not only is this a delicious lower-sugar alternative to other frozen sweets, it is a great way to eat more fruit. Wyman’s utilizes liquid nitrogen technology to create small frozen balls of Greek yogurt that are combined with flash frozen bites of fruit, such as wild blueberries and mango.

Patagonia Provisions Organic Cacao + Mango Bar

With just six ingredients (one of which is water), Patagonia Provisions’ Organic Cacao + Mango Bar is a satisfying sweet snack with a mission-driven story and a squeaky clean label. This USDA-certified Organic bar sources fruit from agroforestry farms in Nicaragua, where the mango trees shade coffee plants, vegetables and cacao. Patagonia Provisions, a certified B Corp, was one of the first to partner with the Rodale Institute in support of Regenerative Organic Certification, a standard that prioritizes soil health, along with animal welfare and worker fairness and the mangoes and bananas used in this bar were a part of that process.

Pipcorn Heirloom Vegan Caramel Popcorn

Vegan Caramel Popcorn is among the latest launches from minority-owned, women-owned, certified B Corp Pipcorn. Pipcorn is made with an heirloom variety of non-GMO corn that produces kernels half the size of traditional popcorn. These adorable kernels are covered in vegan caramel for a sweet and crunchy treat that is Non-GMO Project verified. Plus, tiny kernels have the added benefit of being less likely to get stuck in your teeth, and that’s something everyone can get behind!

Best New Sweet or Dessert

Nubocha Gelato

We’ve tasted a lot of dairy-free ice creams, but never a gelato that was so delectable and free of sugar! Rich, creamy and with the perfect amount of sweetness, Nubocha Gelato is made with cacao, nuts and spring water. It’s sweetened with the natural sweetener allulose, a virtually calorie-free, no-aftertaste sugar found in foods such as figs. We love the clean—and incredibly small—ingredient list featuring sustainable and direct-trade ingredients.

Tru Fru Nature’s Raspberries Frozen Fresh and Immersed in White and Milk Chocolate

We couldn’t stop munching down on this simple yet indulgent dessert. Tru Fru has found an innovative way to create its products by taking fresh berries, freeze drying and immersing them in chocolate before hyperchilling at -300 degrees. We love the company’s commitment to sustainable practices in their manufacturing facility like contributing recycled water for local crop irrigation, being Food Alliance-certified and focus on running a zero-waste facility.

Undercover Chocolate Co. Dark Chocolate + Pomegranate

A WBENC-certified, women-owned company, Undercover Chocolate Co.’s dark chocolate-covered crispy quinoa snacks with pops of pomegranate are a tasty, guilt-free and gluten-free indulgence. Its products feature a healthy dose of quinoa and are so unique that the company engineered its own equipment and built its own factory especially for it. Created by a mom with two celiac children, the company works with and donates to organizations including Celiac.org, FARE and Eat, which support the celiac disease and allergy communities.

Best New Pantry Food

Freshé

Fancy a taste of France, Mexico, Sicily or Thailand? Freshé’s got you covered. Pop open a can of any of Freshé’s four varieties of globally inspired, chef-designed mini meals and you will find a different and equally delicious combination of seafood, veggies, olive oil and regional herbs and spices. With a base of wild-caught tuna from the coasts of Spain and Portugal, the seafood is 100% certified sustainable by the Friend of the Sea global standard, as well as non-GMO and gluten free. Whole, simple ingredients, sustainably sourced protein and a lot of flavor will undoubtedly help elevate these on-the-go, healthy meals-in-a-tin to the gourmet stature that these types of products already enjoy overseas.

Zego Foods Double Protein Oats

Peace of mind might well be the rallying cry of this certified B Corp, which puts transparency and quality at the fore in everything it does. In this instance, these USDA-certified Organic oats adhere to the highest standards of gluten-free production. Not only are the oats cultivated in such a way so as to avoid cross-contamination with barley or wheat, but they are also tested for allergen and gluten cross contact in addition to over 400 agricultural chemicals and glyphosate. Consumers need only to scan the QR code on the back of the package to gain the results from these purity tests, which can also be verified on the website. These double-protein oats are an exceptional, mission-focused iteration of a pantry staple.

Brass Roots Sacha Inchi Butter

No, it’s not a nut—it’s a seed, and it’s one of the reasons why this new spread makes such a great alternative to nut butter. It also happens to be rich in flavor, packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which promotes brain health. This yummy seed butter is also keto friendly, appropriate for low FODMAP diets, and rich in prebiotic fibers and plant-based protein. All three flavors—Classic, Unsweetened­ and Chocolate –come with ultra-clean ingredient lists and the peace of mind that comes with serving an allergy-free option. The company uses organic roasted sacha inchi seeds grown by its partner in Thailand and Laos, with part of the proceeds from both here and abroad going to fund children’s education and youth organizations. 

Maya Kaimal Red Lentil, Butternut Squash and Coconut Everyday Dal

In a word, delicious. We immediately fell in love with this ready-to-eat dal thanks to a clean ingredient list that includes red lentils, butternut squash, coconut cream, turmeric and cayenne pepper—not to mention its unbeatably rich and tantalizing taste. Other bonuses are the fact that it is USDA-certified Organic, Non-GMO Project verified, vegan and kosher, and ready to eat after just 90 seconds in the microwave. To create this product, the company started with a traditional Indian dish (masoor dal) and added coconut and butternut squash to create a complete plant-based protein. This aligns with consumers’ growing desire to eat more plants and experience international flavors in a convenient, ready-to-eat format.

Best New Supplement

Nutiva Organic MCT Protein

Yes, this protein powder is on trend, using plant protein sources from pea, pumpkin, sunflower and hemp. It’s also got six grams of MCTs from coconut that’s keto-certified. There’s another four grams of BCAAs to support muscles and reduce recovery time. Can it ring any more bells? Well, yes. Nutiva also donates 1% of sales to regenerative agriculture farming practices because so much of the climate crisis can be ameliorated by the agricultural sector. Of course, it’s also USDA-certified Organic, Non-GMO Project verified, paleo, vegan, dairy free, grain free and gluten free, with no added sugar or stevia. Nutiva also enacted the City Fruit Tree Initiative in the Bay Area town of Richmond, giving 13,000 low-income children access to 50,000 pounds of fresh fruit. No extra charge for the warm fuzzies.

Organifi Pure

The gut-brain axis is an emerging area of microbiome research. It turns out the gastrointestinal tract is connected to the brain. Organifi’s Pure nourishes the gut with prebiotics (very on-trend), digestive enzymes and apple cider vinegar. The brain, meanwhile, is supported with lion’s mane mushrooms and coffee berry—the latter shown in studies to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports the growth and maintenance of neurons, which are key information-transmitters throughout the brain and body. Then, the leftover pulp from the coffee berry (cascara) is used to power the farm itself. Organifi is USDA-certified organic, non-GMO, gluten free, soy free, dairy free, vegan and glyphosate free.

Zhou Nutrition Water Enhancers

In today’s modern world, shoppers want nutrition coupled with convenience. These tiny bottles require just a squeeze of liquid into a water bottle for on-the-go nutrition. The line features six different formulas to target a range of wellness needs, including Calm Now, Collagen Peptides, Energy + Focus, Glowfluence, Hairfluence and Neuro-Peak. Flavors include berry, raspberry lemonade, lemon-lime, watermelon, citrus and strawberry lemonade. Getting a daily dose of vitamins, minerals and adaptogens just got easier.

Best New Savory or Salty Snack

Brad’s Plant Based Foods Everything Zucchini Veggie Flats

Tangy, seedy and all-around a better better-for-you alternative to your average cracker, Brad’s Veggie Flats are delicious in a way that many vegetable-forward alternatives aren’t. This USDA-certified Organic product also boasts a solid six grams of protein per serving and can fulfill two prominent diets—plant-based and keto—through an innovative way to enjoy dips and spreads without unnecessary add-ins. Brad’s only uses organic ingredients that are air dried so as to remain as close to their original form as possible, and because of this the ingredients pack a protein- and fiber-filled punch.

Ka-Pop! Red & Green Sriracha Chips

Ka-Pop! has totally nailed the flavor profile and texture here—this latest iteration of its air popped sorghum-based chip line has the addictive quality that consumers want in an indulgent snack, but with zero of the top 12 allergens and way more fiber. As an added bonus, sorghum is an ancient grain that happens to use three times less water than corn does and can be grown as a regenerative crop. It is a nutrient-dense ingredient as well, with high levels of potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc and more.

Late July No Grain Tortilla Chips

These five-ingredient chips are a grain- and (surprisingly) nut-free dream—Late July uses a blend of the tigernut root vegetable in conjunction with cassava root flour to mimic the crunch and flavor of a regular tortilla chip. It’s paleo-friendly, certified gluten free and contains chia seeds for added health benefits. Late July has notably partnered with TerraCycle to offer consumers an opportunity to recycle its snack line’s packaging.

Best New Special Diet Food

Renewal Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour

Renewal Mill is on a mission to build a new circular economy for food by using upcycled food byproducts to create delicious, nutritious new food. Right now, organic soybean pulp, aka okara flour, is at the center of Renewal Mill's efforts to close the loop in today's supply chain, and we particularly love its vegan and non-GMO 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour. It's an easy swap for white flour yet offers more nutrition and supports a sustainable food system.

I Amaranth I Am Nutz

The next time you have a snack attack, consider trying I Amaranth's I am Nutz, crunchy and flavorful organic peanuts covered in toasted, organic amaranth. Not familiar with amaranth? It's a gluten-free grain that's nutrient-rich and has an earthy, nutty flavor. I Amaranth is bringing this ingredient to the U.S. market in an innovative way with flavors Chipotle Himalayan Salt and Habanero & Himalayan Salt, making for a unique spicy peanut and earthy flavor profile.

Brass Roots Grain Free Crunch Puffs

Grain-free snacks might be a dime a dozen these days, but Brass Roots' Grain Free Crunch Puffs caught our eye for its use of sacha inchi, a seed native to South America and Southeast Asia that's high in protein and omega-3s. We're big fans of the white cheddar flavor because it's vegan (yet tastes cheesy), has no sugar and boast 8 grams of protein per serving. Brass Roots also partners with New Orleans youth organizations to donate snacks and provide nutrition and wellness education to underserved communities.

Taste Republic Gluten-Free Vegan Cheese Ravioli

Take one bite of Taste Republic's Gluten Free Vegan Cheese Ravioli and we bet you won't miss the traditional take on ravioli. Taste Republic has somehow created an Italian food staple that's allergy-friendly with rich taste and seemingly perfect al dente texture when cooked. As a certified B Corp, this company is also using business as a force for good while transforming what it means to be gluten free. (Hint: You don't have to compromise on taste or texture anymore.)

Worthy Blendie Bowls

Worthy makes eating nutrient-dense, plant-based snacks extra simple with its Worthy Blendie Bowls packed with fruits, veggies, chia and legumes (depending on the flavor). Each Blendie Bowl has 8 grams of vegan protein and 8 grams of fiber with no artificial colors or flavors, making it a nutritious on-the-go option for snackers of all ages. We also love that Worthy is women-owned and a certified B Corp.

Best New Ready to Drink Beverage

Dewdrop Pretty Beverages

Not too sweet with just the right blend of passionfruit, cacao, vanilla and rhodiola, Dewdrop Pretty Beverages are made with mood-boosting flavonoids and stress-relieving adaptogens. They’re as refreshing as they are functional, made with real fruit purées and pulps and formulated with organic adaptogenic extracts. We love that Dewdrop operates within a low waste ecosystem and is a female-founded, minority-operated company.

Hubble

Hubble (healthy + bubble), is on a mission to “clean up carbonated drinks” by providing a fresher, healthier and tastier alternative to soft drinks. We love the innovative combination of using carbonation with High Pressure Processing to create a fresh tasting and functional sparkling beverage. The clean label is inspiring, with just cold-pressed juice, purified water and herbs, but at the same time packed with antioxidants, vitamins and enzymes.

World Finer Foods Petal Sparkling Botanicals

Petal Sparkling Botanical Blend is a refreshing fusion of fruits and botanicals with subtle sweetness and beautiful packaging. The low sugar beverage features ancient ingredients like peach, marigold and basil, and is USDA-certified Organic. We especially love the mission behind the women-run business: to encourage more women entrepreneurs and support organizations that encourage women to make strong positive impacts.

REBBL Gold Label

Looking for an ultra-functional elixir? Well look no further because REBBL has created its most efficacious and indulgent ready-to-drink beverage yet. After seven years of searching the world for the most treasured, ethically sourced herbal ingredients, REBBL has found them and packed them into its delicious Gold Label drink. Only formulating with ingredients if the product can offer consumers an efficacious dose of its ingredients, this delectable USDA-certified Organic concoction is crafted with high-quality ingredients maca, reishi, maitake, turkey tail, lion’s mane, and ashwagandha to name a few. Further, in 2020, all of REBBL’s bottles will be made from 100% rPET, an incredible feat when it comes to the small supply of food-grade PCR plastic. That's not to mention REBBL's incredible core mission to support human rights and create positive environmental impact. Just a sip of Gold Label will rest your mind, body, and spirit! 

Best New Tea or Coffee

Fulfill Food & Beverages Karuna Focus-Plus Turmeric Synergy Coffee

This plant-based reformulation includes wellness-boosting turmeric, which is fully dissolved into the beverage through a proprietary process designed to make the most of this plant’s beneficial properties. Another benefit comes from the sprouted black soybeans, which offer protein, fiber, antioxidants and vitamins and minerals. Sweetened only with dates and coconut cream, this USDA-certified Organic coffee drink has 60 mg of caffeine from Fair Trade Certified coffee, making it right on trend with the vilification of sugar and consumer’s search for better-for-you products with sustainably sourced, functional ingredients.

Jade Leaf Matcha Latte Infusions

Just add water to a packet of any of these four varieties of USDA-certified Organic Matcha Latte Infusions for a creamy and satisfying matcha drink with added functional benefits. “Glow” has grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine hide collagen peptides and plant-based biotin to support organ, tissue, joint, skin, hair and nail health. “Protect” is a blend of ayurvedic herbs such as turmeric and cardamom. “Think” promotes brain health, energy and focus with the addition of functional mushrooms lion’s mane and cordyceps, and “Balance” is packed with heat-resistant probiotics to support digestion. More importantly, the organic matcha used in these infusions is sourced from sustainably minded family farms in the Uji and Kagoshima regions of Japan.

Pop & Bottle Oat Milk Lattes

Made with organic, non-GMO, fair trade and sustainably sourced ingredients, these three varieties of oat milk lattes are dairy free and right on trend with consumers’ growing desire to eat more plants. Naturally sweetened with dates and coconut cream for a silky drinking experience, these clean-label coffee beverages get a functional boost from add-ins such as ashwagandha and maca (Mocha), marine collagen (Vanilla) and antioxidants (Classic), all served up in uber-attractive, nitro-infused cans. A bonus: this women-owned company claims to have the first beverage in its category to be Certified Glyphosate Residue Free.

NEXTY Consumer Choice Award - Food and Beverage

Albanese Confectionery Ultimate 8 Flavor Gummi Bears

Almost everyone loves a sweet snack, but that shouldn’t have to come with artificial colors or sweeteners. In line with the artisanal craft movement, Albanaese Confectionery’s Gummi Bears use real fruits and vegetables to inspire their flavors.

Justin's Dark Chocolate Crispy Peanut Butter Cups

As if peanut butter cups couldn’t get any tastier, Justin’s introduces their new dark chocolate peanut butter cups with crispy quinoa. The USDA-certified Organic snack features Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa and fully traceable, orangutan friendly palm oil. High-quality ingredient sourcing with Justin’s robust sustainability mission and clear packaging waste instructions offer consumers a delectable sweet snack they can trust.

NEXTY Consumer Choice Award - Natural Living or Personal Care

PATCH Bamboo Bandages

First aid reeks of hospital hallways, latex gloves and chemically laden antiseptics. But natural solutions could be just what your body needs to heal post-scratch, bump or bite. These stripped-down bandage strips are made from 100% organic, stone-milled bamboo fiber with gauze strips that are enhanced with coconut oil, aloe vera or charcoal that’s perfect for soothing and repairing skin after minor abrasions. The hypoallergenic, biodegradable and compostable bandages, paper wraps and unique cardboard canisters are free of plastics, latex and silicon.

InstaNatural Vitamin C Cleanser

The personal care space can be full of unrecognizable ingredients that should never grace the temple that is our bodies. InstaNatural assures consumers will never have this worry when purchasing their products, working closely with their partners to ensure that their formulas never contain any of their 1,300-plus restricted ingredients. With a strong (and appreciated) focus on transparency, the facial cleanser inspires radiant skin with the natural antioxidant Vitamin C as well as other extracts such as green tea, chamomile and sugar cane.

NEXTY Consumer Choice Award - Supplement

Winged CBD Relaxation Gummies

The FUBU of hemp, Winged CBD is made for and made by women. The classy brand’s Relaxation SKU is gummies that each contain 10 milligrams of CBD from organically grown full-spectrum hemp extract, along with evening primrose oil, lemon balm extract, chamomile and L-theanine—all that in one sweet chill pill housed in one beautiful package. Products are third-party lab tested and include a QR code on each product allowing customers to view the Certificates of Analysis from each batch. The product is non-GMO, and the startup company is commendably working on both organic certification and B Corp status.

Barlean's Fast-Acting Seriously Delicious CBD

Barlean’s made no mistakes in naming its new full spectrum CBD product. Whether it be lemon drop or chocolate mint, its patented emulsification process offers an ingestion experience that is silky, creamy and satisfying. But the magic behind the emulsification process doesn’t stop there—it also increases the bioavailability of the oil for your body. Win-win!