16 brands named On Trend winners at KeHE's summer show
KeHE announced On Trend award winners in 16 categories, based on innovation, purpose-driven attributes, ingredients and salability.
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These 75% cocoa chocolate morsels are made with oat milk instead of extra sugar for a premium baking experience. The company is raising awareness of the whale shark through this product. Also available in a smooth and sweet, 55% cocoa version. It is vegan, Non-GMO Project Verified, Fair Trade Certified and Gluten Free Certified. Endangered Species donates 10% of net profits to Wildlife Conservation Network and Rainforest Trust, both conservation nonprofits.
Teatulia's Watermelon Black Iced Tea—a cold-brewed, unsweetened, non-carbonated RTD tea—is USDA Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified and Rainforest Alliance Certified. This Certified B Corporation ethically sources its products from its own 3,000 acre tea garden in northern Bangladesh, and it belongs to the Alliance of Sustainable Gardens. Teatulia does not use machinery or unnatural irrigation in growing its teas, which has led to the regeneration of the garden's ecosystem. The company also provides health and education programs to help families in Bangladesh break free from poverty.
These energy bars provide sustained energy from MCT oil and caffeine from organic green coffee. Ingredients are Certified Plant Based, Certified Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Project Verified, and free of dairy and soy. Quantum is a member of KeHE Elevate, an emerging supplier program the distributor began in 2020 to support early stage brands.
This sweet and spicy Bulgogi sauce is made with coconut aminos (similar to soy sauce), garlic and toasted sesame seeds. It is Paleo- and Keto-Certified, as well as Certified Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Project Verified. It does not contain preservatives, soy or dairy and is vegetarian. Kevin's Natural Foods is a member of KeHE Elevate, an emerging supplier program the distributor began in 2020 to support early stage brands.
Alter Eco is a Certified B Corporation that is dedicated to "full-circle sustainability" in the food system. That starts with choosing clean ingredients, investing in farmers, practicing regenerative agriculture and eliminating waste. All of its products are sourced from farmer-owned, small co-operatives who can invest in improving their communities. Alter Eco's products are USDA Organic Certified, Certified Gluten-Free, Fair Trade Certified, Climate Neutral Certified and Forest Stewardship Council Certified, which means its products are eco-friendly and sustainable.
This USDA Certified Organic cottage cheese has 14 grams of protein, 7 grams of fat and 3 grams of sugar. It is Keto Certified. Good Culture uses pasture-raised milk from sustainable family farms, and the product features live and active cultures. It does not contain any additives. Other flavors include low-fat classic, whole milk classic, strawberry chia and blueberry acai chia.
This new Chickpea & Greens Organic Spirals is made with chickpeas, lentils, kale and spinach, but it brings to the table two full servings of vegetables, 24 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber per serving. It is USDA Certified Organic, Certified Gluten-Free, Certified Vegan and Non-GMO Project verified. Chickpeas & Greens pasta is also available in penne and spaghetti. Chickapea is a Certified B Corporation as well as Certified Women Owned. The company is part of the KeHE DIVERSEtrade Program, which supports and mentors suppliers who are women, people of color, veterans or LBGT as they work to distribute their products.
Plant Perks' Cheeze Spread is made of organic cashews, organic MCT oil, organic nutritional yeast, natural smoke flavor, sea salt, organic Worcestershire sauce and organic onion powder. It's Keto- and Paleo-friendly; free of gluten, dairy and soy; vegan friendly; and USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. The Cheeze Spread is also available in Sriracha Cheddar, Garlic & Herb, Dill Havarti and Smoke Provolone flavors.
This ready-to-eat, plant-based smoothie is USDA Certified Organic, with organic strawberries, organic bananas, organic cashews, organic balsamic vinegar, organic chia seeds, organic flax seeds and organic dates. It's dairy free, gluten free, and has no added sugars or chemical stabilizers. Smoothies also are available in Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Blueberry Beet, Rise Coffee And Tropical Greens flavors.
Plant-based Green Goo salves are infused with oils to increase their efficacy. Free to Breathe contains calendula, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, lavender and more to help relieve congestion. Green Goo is Certified Women Owned, a Certified B Corporation and Certified Cruelty Free. The company donates a percentage of sales—not profits—to various nonprofits that care for people, animals and the planet. The company is part of the KeHE DIVERSEtrade Program, which supports and mentors suppliers who are women, people of color, veterans or LBGT as they work to distribute their products.
Grown in Afghanistan, these baby pistachio kernels are high in protein, vitamin D, vitamin B6 and potassium. They are dry roasted and lightly salted. Ziba works with small farms and cooperatives in Afghanistan to source its nuts and dried fruits in a sustainable and socially responsible manner. Ziba pays farmers immediately after the company accepts the harvest—providing farmers and cooperatives a reliable income. The company is part of KeHE's CAREtrade initiative, which supports businesses whose approach makes the world a better place even as it is commercially successful.
This freeze-dried dog food is made with humanely raised chicken and turkey, and organic, non-GMO fruits and vegetables including carrots, apples, pumpkin and kale. Other ingredients include eggs for protein and flaxseed for a healthy coat. There are no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors, and no added hormones. Tender & True's pet foods are USDA Certified Organic and Animal Welfare Certified by the Global Animal Partnership for humanely raised ingredients such as chicken and turkey. The pet food does not include corn, wheat or soy in any of its recipes.
A biochemist-turned-surfer who loved the health benefits of traditional kombucha but not the flavor created The Bu. This fresh and invigorating sparkling water contains millions of high quality probiotics, as well as antioxidants and vitamin C. It has no sugar and no artificial ingredients. The Sparkling Probiotic Water is available in lime, grapefruit and tangerine, as well as mango. The Bu gives 1% of its revenues (not its profits) to the nonprofit National Resources Defense Council, which works to save wildlife and wild places.
Sprouted almonds, the basis of Daily Crunch's snacks, provide a satisfying crunch as well as unique taste. However, the sprouting process causes the nuts to shed phytic acid, which blocks some enzymes from helping your digestive system. Daily Crunch is available in several flavors including Cacao & Sea Salt, Coffee, Cherry Berry Nut Medley and Salt-Free. A portion of the company's proceeds are given to The Support Network, which advocates for mental health awareness and support on college campuses.
Advanced Lung Guard is part of the company's immune support line, made of mushrooms and herbs. Lung Guard includes organic astragalus, organic reishi mushroom, thyme and licorice root in vegan capsules. It's designed to support a healthy respiratory system from free radicals, pollutants and environmental stressors. The product label says it is organically grown, vegan, gluten free and tested by third-party laboratories. Plant People is a major partner of American Forests, which supports planting trees in forests around the country.
Stop wondering why coffee can't be packaged in single-serve bags and steeped as tea is. Steeped Coffee has done exactly that—and its packaging is sustainable, unlike many plastic pods. Breakwater Organic French Roast is just one of Steeped Coffee's flavors, with different roast and a decaf version available as well. Steeped Coffee is ethically sourced through Direct Trade. Its single serve coffee bags are made of non-GMO, food-grade, renewable and biodegradable materials. The company is a Certified B Corporation and a member of KeHE Elevate, an emerging supplier program the distributor began in 2020 to support early stage brands.
Stop wondering why coffee can't be packaged in single-serve bags and steeped as tea is. Steeped Coffee has done exactly that—and its packaging is sustainable, unlike many plastic pods. Breakwater Organic French Roast is just one of Steeped Coffee's flavors, with different roast and a decaf version available as well. Steeped Coffee is ethically sourced through Direct Trade. Its single serve coffee bags are made of non-GMO, food-grade, renewable and biodegradable materials. The company is a Certified B Corporation and a member of KeHE Elevate, an emerging supplier program the distributor began in 2020 to support early stage brands.
As with most events these days, KeHE distributors' annual summer show took place online this month. But that didn't stop the Certified B Corporation from honoring its suppliers.
Via video, KeHE announced the winners of its On Trend awards in 16 categories. Judges sorted through 150 applications to determine which brands best fit the criteria of innovation; purpose-driven attributes; clean, new and functional ingredients; and overall salability, including packaging and price point.
Click through our gallery to see which companies won which awards.
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