An inside peek at the NEXTY Award judging process
![An inside peek at the NEXTY Award judging process An inside peek at the NEXTY Award judging process](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/bltaf8800f5f3ab8324/64e8f29bf95b2f7f031c8f9b/Screen_20Shot_202016-02-25_20at_202.03.15_20PM.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
This year, New Hope Networks’s NEXTY Awards adopted a new and improved process to flesh out the most innovative new natural products exhibiting at Expo West. Rather than editors struggle to nominate brands on the show floor—and asking industry to vote months later—companies nominated new products launching at Expo West in January. We fortified the judging process by engaging the entire editorial team (and New Hope’s Standards Department) to scrutinize products and choose the top three finalists in each of our nineteen categories. The judging process didn’t stop there. We invited seven judges with years of natural industry experience and knowledge to help select the NEXTY winners. Here’s an inside look at the NEXTY judging process. The NEXTY winners will be revealed on Saturday, March 12, on the Natural Products Expo West show floor.
NEXTY nominees were judged on the trifecta of innovation, inspiration and integrity. Judges kept such criteria in mind while examining products.
Taste was also a factor for determining NEXTY finalists—if a product isn’t something consumers will eat, innovation doesn’t get far. Here, a trio of paleo and vegan gelatos from Vixen Kitchen await the judges.
Judges also scrutinized the ingredients and nutritional facts of each and every product. Here, one editor learns what Torie & Howard’s Chewy Fruities are made from.
Chuao’s Lovely chocolate bar, which was infused with floral components, was a nominee in the Best Dessert category.
Here, New Hope editors deliberate finalists during the first round of judging.
New Hope's supplements expert Todd Runestad examines a supplement facts panel, with the help of his pink "thinking" cap.
Delicious Living Editor-in-Chief Jessie Shafer, who orchestrated the entire NEXTY process, prepares a category for the first round of judging.
New Hope regular Olive prepares to act as official taster of dog-focused products. Clearly, she took the role in stride.
New Hope’s Diana Mercer shows NEXTY finalists in the Best New Condiment category to guest judges Jorel Pierce, chef de cuisine of Denver-based Stoic & Genuine (center), and Phillip Arons, national director of retail category management for UNFI (right).
The Best New Frozen category featured single-ingredient fish, minimally processed ice pops, jackfruit and more.
Guest judges Alan Lewis and Bob Rountree, MD, stand with New Hope’s Bill Giebler and Fran Schoenwetter.
All judges gather to vote for the NEXTY winners, which will be revealed on Saturday, March 12, on the Expo West show floor!
All judges gather to vote for the NEXTY winners, which will be revealed on Saturday, March 12, on the Expo West show floor!
This year, New Hope Networks’s NEXTY Awards adopted a new and improved process to flesh out the most innovative new natural products exhibiting at Expo West. Rather than editors struggle to nominate brands on the show floor—and asking industry to vote months later—companies nominated new products launching at Expo West in January.
We fortified the judging process by engaging the entire editorial team (and New Hope’s Standards Department) to scrutinize products and choose the top three finalists in each of our nineteen categories.
The judging process didn’t stop there. We invited seven judges with years of natural industry experience and knowledge to help select the NEXTY winners.
Here’s an inside look at the NEXTY judging process. The NEXTY winners will be revealed on Saturday, March 12, on the Natural Products Expo West show floor.
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