New Hope Network staff favorites from 2022
This variety of noteworthy natural industry products brought joy to our editors during 2022.
![New Hope Network staff favorites from 2022 New Hope Network staff favorites from 2022](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/bltcb63f01bb09be9f0/64ff179794e38667babef9a7/personal-care-products.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Product picks from left to right: Evanhealy Blue Cactus Beauty Elixir, F.a.e. Nourishing Body Wash Coconut Vanilla, Loop Pineapple Activated Charcoal Everyday Soap, Viv Menstrual Cup Starter Kit, Humble Palo Santo Frankincense Original Formula, Oceanly Face Serum What our editors said: “Evanhealy Blue Cactus Beauty Elixir is a daily routine. Paired with a hydrosol from Evan Healy, it wakes me up every morning and feels great on my skin. I don’t use many beauty products or wear makeup, but this is something I can’t go without!”—Jenna Fitch, Senior Director, Community Conference Content “I fell for F.a.e. because the brand prioritizes free-from, especially phthalates and harmful fragrances/chemicals, so I feel good using the products and sharing them with my family. It also just launched a travel size so now I can bring all my favorite products with me when I travel.”—Jenna Fitch, Senior Director, Community Conference Content “Loop soap–especially the Pineapple Activated Charcoal Soap. My boyfriend and I LOVE this soap. It makes your skin feel soo good and I love that the brand uses rejected sunflower oil and imperfect fruit that would otherwise be tossed.”—Lauren Pacheco, Standards Specialist “Advocating for menstrual equity is a big passion of mine, and I admire how Viv is tackling sustainability. The brand's biodegradable tampons, pads and liners are better for the environment than conventional ones, but this menstrual cup starter kit caught my eye. This beginner-friendly kit gives you all you need to begin (the cup, a pouch, a plant-based wash and a how-to guide), and the loop at the end of the stem makes the cup much easier to use than others.”—Gianna Rosenbach, Content Creator, CPG and Digital “I do draw special attention to Humble. Their products are quality and new eco-friendly packaging is heading in the right direction.”—Fran Schoenwetter, Content Marketing Director, Supply “I have been covering the waterless personal care trend a lot this year, and one of the most recent and exciting launches from Expo East is the new Oceanly Skincare line from Attitude. This 100% plastic-free line of solid skincare products is packaged in eco-friendly FSC Certified cardboard push-up tubes. The tubes are printed with biodegradable ink and have a biodegradable protective coat.”—Gianna Rosenbach, Content Creator, CPG and Digital
Product picks from left to right: WishGarden Hoarse Whisperer Throat Spray, Bragg True Energy Apple Cider Vinegar supplement, Garden of Life mykind Organics Elderberry Immune Gummies What our editors said: “Hoarse Whisperer from WishGarden saved my life at Expo East. I lost my voice on day one and still had three days of going booth to booth and talking to each exhibitor. Lozenges didn’t work and after using a few spritzes, I had my voice back and not just temporarily, I didn’t have to use it the whole time because my voice was restored after using two days in a row.”—Lauren Pacheco, Standards Specialist “Bragg's True Energy is also a lifesaver! I cannot have caffeine anymore because it makes my TMJ worse. Long days call for some sort of pick me up and this supplement gives me the energy I need to finish my day. The combination of ACV and B vitamins is a genius combination IMO.”—Lauren Pacheco, Standards Specialist “Mykind Organics Elderberry Immune Gummies are great tasting. I started taking them because of COVID and never stopped. They have a great blend with zinc and vitamin C, so I feel good taking them in conjunction with my daily Vitamin D regimen for immune health.”—Jenna Fitch, Senior Director, Community Conference Content
Product picks from left to right: Hillary’s Organic World’s Best Veggie Burgers, Atlantic Sea Farms Basil Pesto Sea-Veggie Burgers, Miyoko’s Creamery Double Cream Garlic Herb Cashew Milk Cheese, Nuts for Cheese Cranberry Pink Peppercorn What our editors said: “When times are crazy and we’re craving a simple dinner paired with sweet potatoes or steamed veggies, Hillary’s are the best tasting veggie burgers we’ve found to fit the bill. They’re crunchy, organic and gluten free—GF was hard to find in this category when I was following a stricter diet. I like the millet and leafy green inclusions and so does the flexitarian in my household!”—Jenna Fitch, Senior Director, Community Conference Content “This burger's basil-pesto-flavored counterpart may have won the NEXTY Award for Best New Product Supporting a Plant-Based Lifestyle, but the ginger sesame flavor was the standout flavor for me. Farmed in the Gulf of Maine, the kelp used by Atlantic Sea Farms is the first clean, sustainable and domestic kelp taken to scale in the United States. The brand even goes a step further with the packaging by sourcing the inner pouch from compostable materials, which is hard to find in the freezer aisle!” —Gianna Rosenbach, Content Creator, CPG and Digital “Wow, the creamy texture and herbal notes of this cheese are truly amazing. Miyoko’s Creamery continues to impress me with its dairy-free innovations. This indulgent cheese is easy to spread and simply delicious.”—Violet Ravotti, Content Creator, Retail “I’m a huge fan of these phenomenal, artisan vegan cheeses and my favorite is the newest release, Cranberry Pink Peppercorn. The tangy flavor is super yummy and I love that this cheese is made from cultured, organic cashews. It’s a great snack on a charcuterie board or simply added to a pizza because this cheese melts wonderfully!"—Violet Ravotti, Content Creator, Retail
Product picks from left to right: The Hampton Grocer Grain Free Almond Small Batch Granola, Heyday Canning Co Kimchi Sesame Navy Beans, Ocean’s Smoked Wild Mackerel Juniper and Coriander, Truvani Plant Based Protein Vanilla Chai What our editors said: “I much prefer something soft to snack on or to keep my breakfast yogurts one creamy consistency throughout. This granola, though, has changed all of that! It is the perfect amount of crunch, just enough subtle sweetness and keeps me full. I love everything about this granola, from the high-quality organic ingredients to the founder Samantha championing small women-owned businesses, making this my new go-to granola.”—Gianna Rosenbach, Content Creator, CPG and Digital “I am obsessed with this new brand and its interesting takes on stalwart pantry staple: canned beans! I love these navy beans, as well as the Coconut Curry Chickpeas and Tomato Alla Vodka Cannellini Beans and … OK, I love them all. I also love the branding!”—Adrienne Smith, Content Director “My other pantry obsession? This new line of sustainably fished, tinned mackerel and sardines from Ocean’s, a Certified B Corp from Canada. LOVE these products.”—Adrienne Smith, Content Director "The flavoring of Truvani's vanilla chai is so great, almost all organic/non-GMO and uses clean ingredients. I always find it tough to find good quality protein powders that also are easy on digestion, and this one is by far one of my favorites!"—Erika Craft, Industry Analyst
Product picks from left to right: Simpli Tri-Color Quinoa, Tan Tan Vietnamese Sweet "Fish" Sauce, A-Sha Foods USA Hakka Style Noodle What our editors said: “Simpli is one of those brands that are doing all the right things and have it engrained within every part of their brand the mission of improving our entire food system from the soil up. As a vertically integrated company, it sources its Regenerative Organic Certified quinoa from Peru's Andes region, supporting local farmers with tools, resources and financial security as part of the brand's vision to transform the flawed food system into one that's good for you, for the planet and for producers.”—Gianna Rosenbach, Content Creator, CPG and Digital “It is the perfect combination of savory and freshness that you don't often find in jarred condiments. I am not vegan, but I would choose this 'fish' sauce over conventional fish sauce any day. It can liven up a dish, bringing authentic Vietnamese flavor to your kitchen, and you would be hard-pressed to convince someone the sauce was not homemade!”—Gianna Rosenbach, Content Creator, CPG and Digital “I also really liked this booth, A-Sha! The noodles were SO good with really complex flavors and a slightly spicy kick!”—Grace Burleson, Content Marketing Coordinator
Product picks from left to right: Quinn Maple Almond Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets, Pocket Latte Choco Nuts Black Sesame Chocolate Coated Almonds, Balkan Bites Spinach and Cheese Burek Pies What our editors said: “Quinn Snacks Peanut Butter and Maple Almond Pretzel Nuggets are delicious! These two flavors have accompanied me on many a road trip and volleyball tournament. They’re filling, yummy and have a great crunch! I also love everything Kristy Lewis and her team are doing to support regenerative agriculture and sourcing practices, especially working with and learning from farming legends like David Vetter!—Jenna Fitch, Senior Director, Community Conference Content “I love these yummy Vietnamese-inspired almonds. They are a delightful, sweet treat and have a satisfying, crunchy texture! ”—Violet Ravotti, Content Creator, Retail “Across the street from my college campus in Seattle was a small Albanian café called Byrek and Baguette that I still miss. I love that I can now easily have a delicious, all-natural ingredients burek whenever the craving hits and something I would never try to replicate myself. Ariana and her aunt Alida have created a truly delicious piece that should be a staple in everyone's freezer, whether you are familiar with Balkan food or not.”—Gianna Rosenbach, Content Creator, CPG and Digital
Product picks from left to right: Patience Fruit & Co Sour Cran Sour Watermelon Candy, Deux Enhanced Cookie Dough Sugar Cookie, KeJoy Lemon Matcha Donut, Painterland Sisters Organic Yogurt Meadow Berry What our editors said: "I was pleasantly surprised to stumble across Patience Fruit & Co's booth on the expo floor. While there's always space to indulge in some old favorite candies, finding something that satisfied my sour candy craving while also being a whole food was completely unexpected and wonderful. The tart flavors make me smile every time I reach for a bag!"—Grace Burleson, Content Marketing Coordinator “I loved the vegan sugar cookie flavor of Deux edible cookie dough! It was enhanced with zinc and elderberry for immune support, and I love how I can indulge (right out of the jar). Every flavor is delicious and has added good-for-you benefits, like ashwagandha for stress relief!”—Grace Burleson, Content Marketing Coordinator “I was excited to discover these indulgent, gluten-free and vegan donuts at Expo East. It’s been years since I had a packaged donut of this type, so this was a heartwarming and nostalgic surprise! Not only are these donuts delicious with a moist texture, but they are lower in sugar than most conventional donuts and packed with superfood ingredients. Every bite takes me to a state of bliss!”—Violet Ravotti, Content Creator, Retail “Painterland Sisters' skyr was pretty tasty and I had a great conversation with the owners about how regenerative agriculture and sustainable practices are core to their business.”—Matt Kennedy, Director of Market Research
Product picks from left to right: Nimbus Multi-Surface Towels, The Unscented Company Dish Tabs What our editors said: “I love that these towels are washable, biodegradable and backyard compostable. This product is made of FSC eucalyptus fibers that are long-lasting, reusable up to 40 times—so it’s great for the environment! I enjoy using these towels to clean the kitchen and dry the dishes. Additionally, Nimbus offers a multitude of other sustainable, plant-based products including eco straws, cleaning towels and compostable, sugarcane fiber plates.” —Violet Ravotti, Content Creator, Retail “As someone with sensitive skin, the Unscented Company is excellent because I do not have to worry about ANY fragrances in anything from hand soap to laundry detergent. These dishwasher detergent tabs, though, stood out after a conversation at Expo East with the founder of this B Corp. While all of the brand's products are locally made in Canada, Anie Rouleau specifically chose to have these made at a facility in France to support the manufacturer's work in creating water purification tablets for parts of Africa without access to safe drinking water. The tablets are excellent because they have an effective, super-concentrated formula of more than 93% plant and mineral-based ingredients packaged in a lightweight, recyclable cardboard box.”—Gianna Rosenbach, Content Creator, CPG and Digital
Product picks from left to right: Nimbus Multi-Surface Towels, The Unscented Company Dish Tabs What our editors said: “I love that these towels are washable, biodegradable and backyard compostable. This product is made of FSC eucalyptus fibers that are long-lasting, reusable up to 40 times—so it’s great for the environment! I enjoy using these towels to clean the kitchen and dry the dishes. Additionally, Nimbus offers a multitude of other sustainable, plant-based products including eco straws, cleaning towels and compostable, sugarcane fiber plates.” —Violet Ravotti, Content Creator, Retail “As someone with sensitive skin, the Unscented Company is excellent because I do not have to worry about ANY fragrances in anything from hand soap to laundry detergent. These dishwasher detergent tabs, though, stood out after a conversation at Expo East with the founder of this B Corp. While all of the brand's products are locally made in Canada, Anie Rouleau specifically chose to have these made at a facility in France to support the manufacturer's work in creating water purification tablets for parts of Africa without access to safe drinking water. The tablets are excellent because they have an effective, super-concentrated formula of more than 93% plant and mineral-based ingredients packaged in a lightweight, recyclable cardboard box.”—Gianna Rosenbach, Content Creator, CPG and Digital
The year 2022 was one of forward-thinking products that featured plant-based ingredients, sustainable packaging and regenerative agriculture practices.
New Hope Network’s editors had abundant opportunities to experience new and innovative products from a multitude of categories that included personal care, supplements, meat and dairy alternatives and household essentials. There was also a plethora of pantry staples and both savory and sweet snacks. All of this and more were discovered at Natural Products Expo East and Natural Products Expo West, through both shows' Pitch Slam events and, of course, the NEXTY Awards.
Specifically, our editors were particularly impressed by products that highlight environmentally friendly business practices in the sourcing, developing and packaging of materials. Brands such as Humble, Loop, The Unscented Company, Viv and Nimbus all featured products with eco-friendly materials and packaging: Viv offers biodegradable bamboo feminine pads and liners, while Loop partners with a vegan fast-food chain to tackle food waste by upcycling sunflower oil and repurposing it in its soaps. These types of sustainable products help contribute to a positive impact on people and the planet by mitigating waste.
Click through the gallery to see these and other top product picks from New Hope’s staff in 2022.
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