Standout natural products companies named NEXTY Awards winners
December 9, 2015
Let’s face it, fruit flies are gross. They are disease carrying pests that can spoil a festive atmosphere in the blink of an eye. Until now, the only treatment has nasty chemical pesticides that may kill the fruit flies but are a hazard in themselves—especially around food. Mat Franken from Aunt Fannie’s has discovered a natural, safe and effective solution to the fruit fly problem. He even managed to create a fun, playful and colorful brand to convey their simple, back-to-nature approach.
For supporters of the farm-to-table movement, “nose to tail” resonates. But how about for natural beauty devotees? This appears to be a first, a concept that Fat Face touts thanks to its use of tallow—rendered beef fat from free range, grass-fed cattle that the company says helps to nourish and moisturize the skin. Funky SKUs like Body Butta and Baby Butta are also aligned with the Paleo food tribe, using only pure ingredients. Love it or loathe it, slathering up with animal fat is undeniably forward-thinking concept that shows how natural beauty continues to build on emerging trends in the food and beverage category.
Can natural beauty products once and for all conquer the “it-doesn’t-work” stigma? Thanks to nontoxic and effective lines like HiQ, natural may finally compete with skin care’s conventional heavy hitters—and prove that quality can be worth a higher price tag. A company based on results and science, HiQ has potential to make a bold statement in the natural skin care market: luxury does have a place in this space. A line currently consisting of just two performance-focused skin care SKUs, HiQ (High IQ, get it?) encourages maturation in the natural beauty category through a high-end, luxury line that uses pure ingredients and is based on clinical studies. The company has built its formulations on the research-backed antiaging benefits of CoQ10 (nope, it's not just for supplements) and has formulated with the potent concentration used in studies—3 percent, which is also the highest amount allowed in retail skin care products. Plus, its sustainability story is solid: It manufactures products, which are free from all chemicals, in its California-based solar-powered facility. And the web site does a nice job of simplifying the benefits of its plant-based (and organic when possible) ingredients. Smart? We think so.
Mission is the beating heart of many brands in the natural space, but few of them take consumer participation in that mission to the levels that MiiR does. Borrowing its name from naturalist John Muir (along with the Russian word “mir,” which translates to “world” or “peace”), every stainless bottle purchased provides a person in need with water for an entire year through partnerships with carefully selected nonprofit organizations. Each of these charities utilizes local resources and labor whenever possible to bring not only water to a region, but jobs and income as well. When consumers register the bracelet that comes with their bottle, MiiR sends along photos and details of the specific project they helped fund months later. MiiR doesn’t stop at mission. It's also a certified B Corporation, with sourcing and production processes that are audited by third parties to ensure they meet strict sustainability standards, both socially and environmentally. Additionally, the company offers bicycles and packs with the same "Track Your Impact" model, providing local transportation and funding for education projects in areas ranging from Honduras to Uganda to Thailand. This kind of large-scale vision for change—carried out with a straightforward commitment to transparency, product quality and community—is the kind of model we hope to see more brands embrace and be challenged by as mission-driven businesses win loyalty from consumers around the world.
The supplement winner has three things going for it: Certified quality, reaching a new segment of customers and being driven by a mission. NoorVitamins has a growing line of Halal-certified supplements, which are made without any pork- or alcohol-derived ingredients, in accordance with Muslim dietary principles. The line includes a multivitamin and mineral, omega-3 fish oil, vitamin D, children's gummy multi and women's prenatal vitamin. Along with selling products for the growing Muslim community in the United States, NoorVitamins is committed to doing social good: For every NoorVitamins product sold during the month of Ramadan this year, the company gave a full meal to a displaced Syrian family through its #NoorishTheHungry campaign.
This powdered package of nutrients has transparency written all over it—clean label, organic, non-GMO, whole-food ingredients. Its marketing is pretty hip and snazzy to boot, which is what you'd expect since company co-founder is branding guru Alex Bogusky. The Healthy Skoop products feature short, clean ingredient lists. For example, the Ignite Beet Blend is made with only organic beets, D-ribose, organic pomegranate, organic agave and organic stevia, and the powder can be added to water or any liquid to create a healthy sports drink for endurance athletes or the average weekend warrior. Through its Project Product program, which is a partnership with the Chef Ann Foundation, the company donates one serving of fresh fruits and vegetables to a school lunch program in the United States for every serving of its product sold. Which means not only will you get some good nutrition to round out your day, but so will a student. A nutri-twofer!
Certifications are a valuable shorthand way of communicating ingredient and product benefits. Nature's Plus in its Source of Life whole-food supplements line has got 'em all -USDA Organic, non-GMO, allergen-free, GMP-certified, yeast-free, gluten-free, recyclable and environmentally responsible. Then it goes one better by taking the time to explain what each of the certifications really means. This glossary brings home the value of each of the values-based certifications. That's a point for certifications, bonus point for the certification glossary, another point for being an organic supplement (no easy feat!) and another for being on-trend with whole food sources of ingredients.
Janie Hoffman launched a revolution in 2009 when she boldly took chia seeds from the bulk section to the beverage cooler. The color, unique look and even the gelled texture captured customers and created a category that practically stands on its own as food-makers followed her lead and added chia boosters or put the seeds center stage in new products. Mamma Chia itself continues to advance chia in many uses—including granola, bars and pouched treats. Recently the company launched a greens line, tapping the power of greens and the fiber-filled seed. And Hoffman advances education, too, as an author, first writing Chia Vitality and now launching a cookbook. But it’s not just her energy and creativity that capture attention; it’s her commitment to the environment and building small businesses that impresses. She is a founding member of Slow Money, which supports investment in small-food enterprises across the nation. Mamma Chia also participates in 1% For the Planet and is a Certified B Corporation. For seeding healthy food, environmental and business change, Mamma Chia represents what’s next.
Move over power-packed smoothie, there’s a new morning blend getting attention: Javazen. This amped up coffee boosts, balances or relaxes with added tea and superfoods such as acai, cacao and goji. Three University of Maryland roommates started the company after experimenting with the blends in their kitchen as a way to add a healthful boost to the brew. Javazen helps fulfill the need of consumers seeking ways to easily increase the healthfulness of all they eat and drink—and that’s a greater part of the population every day.
The Jackfruit Co. isn’t the only brand marketing jackfruit-based products as meat alternatives, but we love that founder Annie Ryu started it as a way to build international supply chains for the superfruit. Although it grows quickly, organically and in abundance in Southern Asia, jackfruit has fallen out of flavor in many nearby countries, meaning much of the fruit grown there goes to waste. The Jackfruit Co. sources young jackfruit (picked before it ripens, so it’s not sweet) directly from farmers in India and Sri Lanka, cooks it and packages it in pouches as a gluten- and soy-free, ready-to-eat meat alternative that’s high in fiber, potassium and other nutrients. So not only is it providing plants-based food eaters with delicious flavors like Barbecue, Tex-Mex, Sesame-Ginger and Curry, but it’s providing a substantial source of income for farmers.
Reishi mushrooms, maca root, ashwaganda. These super-herbs have been supporting health and wellness for millennia. REBBL creates clean, healthy and super-herb enriched tonics and elixirs for a nutritious, organic beverage experience. Even better, REBBL carefully selects these herbs to support a fair trade, clean supply chain that works to support the world’s neediest communities. Their partnership with Not For Sale (they donate 2.5 percent of revenues) is an innovative, sustainable, market-based solution to prevent exploitation in the Peruvian Amazon. Good for you, good for the world.
Reishi mushrooms, maca root, ashwaganda. These super-herbs have been supporting health and wellness for millennia. REBBL creates clean, healthy and super-herb enriched tonics and elixirs for a nutritious, organic beverage experience. Even better, REBBL carefully selects these herbs to support a fair trade, clean supply chain that works to support the world’s neediest communities. Their partnership with Not For Sale (they donate 2.5 percent of revenues) is an innovative, sustainable, market-based solution to prevent exploitation in the Peruvian Amazon. Good for you, good for the world.
The votes are in and the winners of the Natural Products Expo East NEXTY Awards have been selected. These are the companies that voters and New Hope Network editors believe represent what tomorrow's healthy living landscape will look like. The Popular Vote and Editors' Choice winners featured in this gallery, along with the Popular Vote runners up, will be recognized at an awards ceremony at Natural Products Expo West.
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