NEXTY Awards finalists: 2023 Natural Products Expo East
Of the hundreds of natural products nominated for the 2023 Natural Products Expo East NEXTY Awards, New Hope Network's staff members and guest judges selected these 69 as finalists.
September 1, 2023
Pocono Organics PowerGreens Hemp Microgreens Powder
After a University of Maryland study found that hemp microgreens can have up to 40 times the nutrient density of similar products, Pocono Organics created PowerGreens Hemp Microgreens Power using its Regenerative Organic Certified hemp. The company’s ROC farm draws power from a 3-megawatt solar farm, uses rainwater for irrigation and utilizes state-of-the-art energy-efficient greenhouses that support year-round growing. Wanting to make every bite nutrient dense, founder Ashley Walsh created a hardy, easy-to-digest product to support active bodies, especially those with digestive issues. Simply add a scoop to smoothies, sauces, baked goods or nearly any food or beverage.
Prime Roots Koji Foie Gras Torchon
Unfoiegettable! In the spirit of true innovation, Prime Roots has transformed the guiltiest of culinary pleasures into delightful plant-based charcuterie. The Certified B Corp is committed to transforming Old World deli products into clean, sustainable offerings for today’s consumers. Koji is the hero ingredient behind Prime Roots’ offerings—which include salami, pâté and, our fave, foie gras—allowing the company to create mind-blowing meat analogues without nitrates and other preservatives common to the deli case. And on the environmental front, a third-party lifecycle analysis confirmed that Prime Roots’ plant-based meat is 89% to 92% more sustainable than conventional animal proteins.
The Sustainable Care Co. Cleanery Coconut and Sandalwood Hand Soap
More plastic, more problems! Cleanery’s Coconut and Sandalwood Hand Soap aims for as few plastic problems as possible. The innovative powder-to-gel formula produces elegant hand soaps in minutes that smell great and leave hands clean and moisturized. Consumers can either repurpose their own bottles or stock up on plant-based plastic bottles from Cleanery, slashing the amount of waste and emissions created by traditional cleaning products. The cherry on top is Cleanery replicating its renewable-energy, low-emissions New Zealand factory in the U.S., with plans to offset any remaining carbon emissions to create a carbon-positive business.
Good + Ready Provisions Cold Brew Yaupon Tea Concentrate
Brewed from yaupon, the only caffeinated plant native to North America, this concentrate offers tea drinkers a convenient, easy way to make iced or hot tea in seconds. Yaupon, which grows wild in the southeastern U.S., can be wild-foraged year-round and provides antioxidants and theobromine. Owned by a woman who was a CIA agent before she became a professional beekeeper, Good + Ready uses yaupon leaves harvested by fairly paid foragers within 80 miles of its manufacturing plant in Texas.
Milkadamia Black Tea and Smooth Macadamia Milk Tea
This authentic tribute to milk tea, a popular drink that originated in Asia and has now made its way around the world, is a delicious blend of plant-based milk made from raw macadamia nuts grown on regenerative farms in Australia, sustainably sourced black tea extract and cane sugar. Free of dairy, soy, gluten, GMOs and cruelty, the tea is high in antioxidants and provides 19 mg of natural caffeine per serving.
The Equitea Co. Spiced Hibiscus Tea
The Equitea Co. founder and CEO Quentin Vennie formulated this caffeine-free green tea with adaptogens and botanicals as part of his journey to heal himself from anxiety, depression and prescription drug addiction and help his son manage ADHD. With less than 50 calories and less than 10 grams of sugar per serving, the tea is blended with cinnamon, rosehips, elderberry, lemon peel, schisandra berry and honey. The BIPOC-owned company’s mission is to destigmatize mental health, expand pathways to wellness and help make mental health–centered products more accessible and equitable.
Ringa Plant-Powered Holistic Hydration
Raw apple cider and moringa—which has been used in India for centuries to strengthen immunity, support blood sugar balance and fight inflammation—are the basis for this nutrient-dense beverage. Packed with adaptogens, vitamins, amino acids and minerals, moringa is fast growing and drought tolerant. It’s often called the “tree of life” because the seeds are capable of purifying water. Woman-owned Ringa is a 1% for the Planet member.
Dr. Bronner’s Magic All-One Oat Milk Chocolate in Crunchy Hazelnut Butter
True to form, Dr. Bronner’s continues to demonstrate its grasp of environmental stewardship. While working with farmers in Ghana who produce palm oil using a dynamic agroforestry model, Dr. Bronner’s learned that cocoa is also produced in that system. Rather than let the cocoa end up in a low-value market, Dr. Bronner’s created a premium market for regenerative organic cocoa grown in Ghana and, now, the Ivory Coast. In its newest flavor, the Magic All-One Oat Milk Chocolate in Crunchy Hazelnut Butter, Dr. Bronner’s furthers its impact by incorporating low-carbon- and low-water-footprint oats to achieve the creamy decadence associated with milk chocolate.
Gruff Ancient Grain Grits
Gruff offers up a new experience with a relatively underutilized grain, farro. While it’s usually consumed as a berry or flour, Gruff cracks the grain and turns it into nutrient-dense grits, the perfect addition to any meal. The farmer-focused Regenerative Organic Certified brand sources farro from a single multigenerational farm in Montana. Gruff encourages consumers to collaborate and experiment with farro, offering recipes and idea exchanges on its website. One ancient grain at a time, Gruff wants to connect consumers to healthy lands and healthy, community-driven eating.
Wild Orchard Everyday Green Tea Bags
Wild Orchard brings single-origin green tea from a 1,000-acre regenerative farm on the island of Jeju in South Korea. Seeds were planted about 20 years ago on pristine land, in a climate conducive to rain-fed watering and regenerative agriculture practices. Since Wild Orchard incorporated in 2020, the partnership between the farmers and entrepreneurs has resulted in unique Regenerative Organic Certified teas. Thanks to regenerative farming methods, the quality of green tea and the flavor experience are enhanced compared to conventional low-quality competitors.
Nature’s Garden Probiotic Strawberry Yoggies
Yoggies aren’t just delicious snacks crafted with a real fruit paste center. They’re shaking up the probiotic snack game, offering 3 grams of fiber and 2 billion live probiotic cultures per pack. Safeguarded by a propriety microencapsulation system, Yoggies ensure that all the goodness actually makes it to your gut. Each tasty bite prioritizes digestive wellness without sacrificing flavor or fun, so for consumers looking to pack a probiotic punch, Yoggies are an easy choice.
Rind Snacks Remix Piña Colada
Trail mix just got a whole new look with REMIX Piña Colada, a fun and flavor-filled addition to Rind Snacks’ offerings. Featuring the brand’s signature dried fruit, this mix is blended with roasted nuts and dusted with intricate fruit seasonings that satisfy sweet and salty cravings. Packed with fiber, protein and heart-healthy fats, this tasty treat boasts the flavors of upcycled pineapple, coconut crisps and dry-roasted cashews to make an addictive, dynamic addition to summertime snacking.
Pocket’s Chocolates Black Sesame Chocolate Almonds
Coming from an AAPI- and women-owned brand, Black Sesame Oat Milk Chocolate Almonds are making a splash in the snack aisle and beyond with their low sugar content and delightful flavor profile. Pocket’s Chocolates is on a mission to destigmatize Asian flavors and products, and this snack provides an easy entry point for American consumers to try something new. The company’s commitment to sustainable sourcing is a key part of its story, boasting Fair Trade certification and using Non-GMO Project Verified sesame seeds, almonds from a local farm and environmentally friendly organic oat milk.
Spēka Vanilla Cottage Cheese Bar
Spēka’s Cottage Cheese Bar is simply out of this world. Crafted with just a few real-food ingredients and perfectly balanced with carbs, 8 grams of protein and fat, this bar delivers a surprising cheesecake taste with a secret ingredient: cottage cheese. Whey protein provides highly absorbable, rich protein while blended cottage cheese creates the texture and flavor. Why choose a chalky protein bar when you can indulge your senses and taste buds in something this delightful and satisfying?
Little Sesame and Fly By Jing Pumpkin Chili Crisp Hummus
This flavor-bright hummus combines organic Kabuli chickpeas, regeneratively grown in Montana, with Fly By Jing’s Sichuan Chili Crisp, crafted with integrity and authenticity in China’s Sichuan Province. The result: a hummus like no other, riffing simultaneously on a Middle Eastern staple, Little Sesame hummus and a dynamic flavor profile from China that leans into Sichuan peppercorns. The stellar co-branded product rejects stabilizers, thickeners, additives and gums, relying on fresh-squeezed lemon juice (from lemon “seconds”) as its sole preservative. The product is USDA Organic, kosher and Non-GMO Project Verified.
Smallhold Mushroom Pesto
These days, everybody is striving to boost their mushroom game. Smallhold delivers the fungus to natural and organic product enthusiasts by turning imperfect mushrooms (which normally would be tossed as waste) into pesto. Each container holds a half-pound of organic mushrooms, along with savory aromatics and oil, yielding a savory sauce with intense mushroom flavor. Bonus: the packaging is plastic-neutral certified.
Maazah Mango Cardamom Chutney
In Farsi, maazah means flavor, and given this chutney’s explosion of flavor from cardamom, mango and mustard seeds, it is aptly named. On a charcuterie plate, slathered in a grilled cheese, slicked across roasted salmon—it thrills whatever dish it touches. With Maazah’s line of condiments, the Minneapolis-based sisters behind the brand, whose parents grew up in Afghanistan, bring especially bold and arresting flavors to the market, including this vegan and gluten-free chutney.
Nirvana Water Sciences Super Cucumber Lime
A new take on a workout beverage, these functional waters go beyond hydration to focus on muscle strength, lean muscle mass and muscle recovery. The anchor action comes from the branded supplement ingredient myHMB Clear, a hydroxymethylbutyrate with decades of research and testing. Nirvana adds vitamin D3 to increase HMB uptake and electrolytes (because … electrolytes) and serves it up in a single-source spring water in trending flavors at a very reasonable $2.29—although to match clinical levels of HMB, drinkers will need two to three per day.
CENTR Enhanced + Caffeine
By NEXTY standards, CENTR is doing a lot right. These beverages don’t just have the hottest ingredients (sceletium, ginseng, astragalus, GABA) for the most trending conditions (energy, focus, mood)—they feature science-backed versions of them in the form of branded ingredients. Even better, the label states the precise (and efficacious) doses very clearly on the side of the can. Add caffeine from green coffee beans and refreshing citrus flavor with just enough sparkle, and you have an exemplary functional beverage.
Peak State Coffee with Benefits Immunity Boost Medium Roast
Yeah, yeah, we know: Coffee already has benefits. But Peak State furthers the trend of boosting America’s favorite beverage with additional benefits. Here, it’s the immune benefits of chaga, reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps and turkey tail mushrooms—and this coffee tastes great. That, in fact, is the company’s raison d’être: to create a coffee where drinkers get the benefits without tasting them. Also, Peak State does it regeneratively, sourcing fair-trade shade-grown coffee from women-owned farms and packing it in home-compostable or recyclable and refillable packaging. This coffee delivers peak-state positive feelings before even taking the first sip.
Nature’s Garden Probiotic Strawberry Yoggies
OK, first of all, yum! These just-sweet-enough yogurt-covered real-fruit chews deliver on the pleasure front. But they don’t stop there. The real yogurt coating boasts 2 billion probiotic cultures per serving, along with 3 grams of fiber and only 80 calories—and Nature’s Garden doesn’t use the term probiotics lightly. Probiotic Strawberry Yoggies feature one of the most studied strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, microencapsulated to keep the bugs alive through manufacture, distribution and digestion. The only problem that judges found was how quickly these delicious little chews disappeared from the judging station.
Ripple Foods Ripple Kids Unsweetened Original Plant-Based Milk
As the plant-based milk market matures, more and more brands are crafting products that taste great and capture winning textures. But nutrition doesn’t always match the aesthetic advances. Ripple Kids Unsweetened Original Plant-Based Milk delivers outstanding flavor from yellow peas—and has zero sugar, 8 grams of plant protein, 50 mg of DHA, prebiotic fiber and choline, all of which support developing brains and bodies (that’s you, kids). In addition, the milk includes more calcium than cow’s milk, plus magnesium, phosphorous, riboflavin and vitamins A, D and B12. The tasty product is vegan, soy free, gluten free, lactose free and nut free.
Happy Wolf Apple Cinnamon Fridge-Fresh Bar
Bars continue to evolve, decades after they first became a thing, starting with the humble granola bar. This bar from Happy Wolf, co-developed by a founder mom who had a tough time finding healthy bars for her kids, skips preservatives, depending on refrigeration rather than ingredients to keep it fresh for a long time. This organic, non-GMO, allergen-free and Clean Label Project Certified bar turns to dates and honey for sweeteners and seed-butter for heft and flavor—and flavorful it is.
Fody Foods Unsweetened Ketchup
Ketchup has been around since 1812, when an American crafted the first tomato condiment that evolved into the red stuff that lines store shelves today. Most of it is sweetened—classically, by cane sugar, but high-fructose corn syrup is also prominent in the ketchup world. Fody Foods’ Unsweetened Ketchup ditches the sweetener, as well as the onions and garlic found in many ketchups, which can cause digestive unrest for many people. Made with California-grown tomatoes, this gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, low-FODMAP ketchup broadcasts lovely and pleasing flavors—without some of ketchup’s usual drawbacks.
4Sisters Rice Butter Belle Buttery White Rice
Sometimes a craving hits and carbs are necessary now. This buttery feast from Certified Woman Owned (and sister owned!) brand 4Sisters is made from U.S.-grown rice and ready in just 60 seconds. This organic, non-GMO, gluten-free product comes from a vertically integrated company dedicated to sustainably grown rice from seed to plate. With quick and easy heating instructions, your dinner, snack or side dish is ready in seconds.
Atoria’s Family Bakery Upcycled SuperGrain Mini Naan Flatbread
Upcycled foods are cool, and Upcycled Supergrain Mini Naan Flatbread is no exception. Innovation is ingrained in Atoria’s Family Bakery, as evinced by this product’s nutrient-packed ingredients and packaging, which allows the bread to have a 14-day ambient shelf life. It uses 20% ReGrained Supergrain+ flour made from grains typically discarded at the end of the beer-brewing process, so diverting waste has never tasted so good.
Scout Seafood Snacks Wild Yellowfin Tuna with Za’atar
With its cute packaging, modern marketing, sky-high protein content, transparent supply chain and globally inspired flavors, Scout is making tinned fish cool again. This zesty snack contains delicate wild yellowfin tuna with a crunchy topper that’s sure to spice up your day. Scout is committed to working exclusively with wild-caught species that have been deemed healthy and abundant by the Marine Stewardship Council, going above and beyond to ensure the sustainability of its efforts. Scout Seafood Snacks bring convenience and accessibility to the experience of enjoying premium, sustainable seafood.
Ocean’s Halo Organic Purple Spring Roll Rice Wraps
Simply soak, wrap and enjoy! Ocean’s Halo Purple Spring Roll Rice Wraps are the perfect colorful addition to Asian-inspired recipes. With only three simple ingredients, these Certified Vegan, USDA Organic wraps are naturally higher in antioxidants and fiber thanks to the purple (black) rice. The goodness doesn’t stop at the ingredients, though. Ocean’s Halo is a 1% for the Planet member and donates 1% of annual revenue to nonprofit organizations that conserve the ocean and mitigate food waste.
Neurohacker Collective Qualia Senolytic
Fighting zombies is trending, and Qualia is up to the task with this quick-hit healthy aging regimen. The way it works is by detoxing zombie cells known as senescent cells, which accumulate in the body with aging. Specialty ingredients clear out these zombie cells—just take six pills on day 1, six on day 2, then a four-week break before repeating the cycle. A clinical trial demonstrated improvements in both joint stiffness and ease of daily activities.
OM Mushroom Superfood Master Blend Plant Protein Chocolate
The OG Master Blend from the masters at Om contained 10 different organic mushroom species along with three adaptogenic herbs. Once the kids on TikTok got a hold of it, the SKU quickly sold out from coast to coast. Not content to rest of its laurels, Om dished out a line extension by adding 21 grams of plant protein to the powder. It’s also non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free, vegan and kosher.
Biocidin Botanicals G.I. InnerCalm Restore
Digestive upset is a real problem for many consumers, and the gut-brain axis is an emerging concept linking wellness with these two biological control centers. The plastic-free package contains individual-serving satchels of sugar-free powder that supports gastrointestinal and nervous-system health and helps manage occasional heartburn, bloating and gas.
Terraseed The Complete Multivitamin for Kids
Multis for children are pretty standard. But Terraseed is at the front of the class with a plastic-free container that’s fully biodegradable and has a childproof top. All ingredients are plant sourced, from hemp-derived omega-3s and algae-derived vitamin D to the pectin-based gummies. Even the ink used in the company’s biodegradable mailers comes from algae. This product takes the honor roll for sustainability.
Natural Stacks Mood Stack MagTech Magnesium and Serotonin Brain Food
Who doesn’t relate to the need for stress support and mood balance? MagTech magnesium helps with calm, relaxation and mental well-being. Combine that with Serotonin Brain Food for a positive mood and stress relief, and you have an inspired stacked approach in a single package. Natural Stacks is “on a mission to build a billion better brains,” and to help drive that cause, the brand donates a portion of its profits to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. The company offers full label disclosure, ingredient traceability and third-party label testing for every batch, bringing value and integrity to the cognitive health space.
Better Being Co. Solaray Her Life Stages Perimenopause
News flash, not hot flash! While perimenopause and menopause are normal parts of aging for women, the associated changes and challenges are rarely discussed openly or addressed directly with supplements. Enter Solaray’s Her Life Stages Perimenopause, a doctor-formulated natural solution that supports a healthy cycle and provides targeted relief for key concerns reported by women. This hormone- and soy-free supplement is made with key nutrients and botanicals that address mood, sleep, blood sugar, hormonal balance and, yes, hot flashes. Women are truly the inspiration, but Solaray brings the innovation.
1MD Nutrition OsteoMD Scientifically Formulated Bone Support
Wondering why the world needs another bone-support formula? Wonder no more. Building and sustaining optimum bone health requires more than just calcium, and OsteoMD leads the way by including key co-factors for bone health and density. A highly absorbable form of calcium works in symphony with researched forms of vitamins K2 and D3 and a patented winged treebine stem extract to synergize calcium uptake in bones. Featuring a traceable supply chain and validated by clinical research, this strategically formulated product boasts the integrity required to produce results and build consumer trust.
Enzymedica Berberine Phytosome
Berberine is one of the hottest weight management ingredients these days because it supports blood sugar metabolism naturally. This botanical has a long traditional-use history, but Enzymedica brings innovation to the table with clinical science–supported benefits boosted by ingredient standardization and phytosome (liposomal) delivery, which enhances the bioavailability of berberine, an otherwise challenging compound for the body to absorb. This product offers safe, healthy weight-management support in a low-dose, easy-to-swallow format to meet market demand.
Teton Waters Ranch Teton Taste Buds Top Dogs Uncured Beef Hot Dogs with Veggies
To help kids in the prime stages of development get proper nourishment and eat more plants, Teton Waters Ranch hides veggies in its grass-fed beef hot dogs to serve up additional nutrients. Comprised of at least 15% veggies (mushrooms, carrots, and butternut squash), this product lets kids be kids. They’ll get what they want—tasty, fun foods—without even suspecting the “cringe-worthy” veggies, which provide nutrient satiety to help curb caloric cravings. These dogs are also lower in fat and sodium than the ocean of empty-calorie options out there.
Painterland Sisters Plain Organic Skyr Yogurt
Painterland Sisters is a farmer-owned brand dedicated to bringing regenerative skyr yogurt to consumers. Milk is sourced from small, regenerative family farms in Pennsylvania and neighboring regions through the company’s vertically integrated, transparent model. Then an ultrafiltration process yields a more nutrient-dense yogurt than others on the market. At 21 grams of protein per serving (3/4 cup) and just 3 carbs, this lactose-free skyr offers a high protein ratio that carb-wary consumers can get behind. Lastly, a 24-ounce tub of certified-organic creamy plain yogurt is versatile for enhancing sweet and savory dishes.
Zeal Creamery Fresh Grass-Fed Probiotic Milk
Honoring farming principles core to New Zealand, Zeal Creamery sources from a single large-scale farm in Missouri that practices grass-fed and regenerative grazing—challenging the notion that the confined feedlot model is necessary to scale dairy. Instead, Jersey cattle graze on paddocks seeded with nutrient-dense perennial ryegrass, which makes their milk richer in healthy fats like conjugated linoleic acid and omega-3s. Thanks to moderate temperatures and plenty of land—one dairy cow per acre—the cows graze 365 days a year, and their manure (usually a waste issue in concentrated feed lots) is turned into fertilizer. And as a 100% A2 milk with 5 billion CFUs of probiotics per serving, this milk is surely distinctive.
Kekoa Foods Shawarma Artichoke and Cauliflower
Sure, shawarma powder, artichokes, avocado oil and cauliflower may be unconventional baby-food ingredients, but this USDA Organic, non-GMO, vegan pouched purée is sooo not status quo. Each plant-based ingredient contributes key nutrients for growing bodies, culminating in 100% of the veggie RDA for kids 2 and under. As for the global flavors, Kekoa Foods—named after the co-founders’ “brave warrior” son, born premature but now thriving—believes babies and tykes should eat a wide variety of healthy “adult” foods to expand their palates. This LGBTQ-owned brand, launched by two dads, is on a mission to educate all families about real-food nutrition from infancy to beyond.
Actual Veggies The Actual Truffle Burger
Forget hiding and masking vegetables—Actual Veggies is on a mission to prove that they taste amazing in their natural form. This truffle burger is bursting with mouthwatering mushroom-y goodness and is equally rich with health benefits. Test out this new-and-improved clean-label veggie burger that offers luxurious flavors without the fillers.
Atlantic Sea Farms Spicy Gochujang Seaweed Salad
Atlantic Sea Farms is a woman-run company at the tip of the spear in introducing clean, sustainable, domestic kelp at scale in the U.S. Featuring kelp, the “virtuous vegetable,” this seaweed salad delivers lively, bold flavors that are versatile enough to freshen up any dish yet satisfying enough to stand alone. This gluten-free, vegan, regeneratively grown snack is not only on (tasty) trend—it’s also a climate hero that captures carbon and nitrogen and improves water conditions for other important species.
Aloha Kona Bar
Aloha’s new special-edition bar is richly flavored with 100% Kona coffee and 100% Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts. It also features the first commercial launch of Ponova oil, a sustainable plant-based oil made from the beans of pongamia trees in Oahu. A sustainable and sumptuous snack, the Kona Bar supports hands-on educational programs across Hawaii by donating 10% of all proceeds to Kupu, Hawaii’s leading youth-focused conservation nonprofit.
Fabalish Classy Chocolate Brownie Bites
Aquafaba might be the liquid you dump out when using a can of chickpeas, but Fabalish doesn’t see it that way. Instead, the brand harnesses this often-overlooked byproduct of chickpeas to create “best for you” plant-based foods. While there’s always room for an indulgent dessert, Fabalish doesn’t want consumers to have to choose between delicious and healthy. Instead, organic, vegan Brownie Bites boast hidden veggies and legumes for a tasty treat your body (and taste buds) will love.
Chocxo Chocolatier Dark Milk Chocolate Peppermint and Cookie Crunch Snaps
Looking for a one-of-a-kind holiday treat? Look no further. These snaps are a better-for-you alternative to other seasonal sweets, crafted thoughtfully with sustainably sourced cocoa beans that are naturally flavorful and not bitter, nixing the need for extra sugars. Combining gluten-free cookie pieces and candy cane bits with Chocxo’s delicious milk chocolate, these treats are perfect for consumers looking to reduce their sugar intake without sacrificing the holiday spirit.
Seattle Chocolate Co. Crème Brûlée Crackle Truffle Bar
Not only is this Crème Brûlée Cracked Truffle Bar an indulgent treat—it’s also a heavy hitter when it comes to sustainability. The Seattle Chocolate Co. is a carbon-neutral company with plans to become carbon negative by 2024. This crunchy bar is made with Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa, non-GMO ingredients and no artificial flavors or colors. It’s a scrumptious any time of year, making environmental responsibility easy.
Chomps Taco Beef SticksThe meat stick category remained stagnant for years, with the same old products packaged in plastic jars or dangling from displays in gas stations. But that’s changing now, and Chomps is one of the brands skipping added sugar, preservatives, MSG, fillers, binders and other the ingredients that dominate traditional sticks. Instead, Chomps turns to meat that is verified regenerative by Land to Market, a prominent meat sourcing organization. For shelf stability, these sticks—which fully harness the flavors of classic American-style tacos (lots of cumin and chile!)—use sea salt and celery juice rather than artificial preservatives.
Tochi Snacks Salted Egg Popcorn
Got umami? If you’ve got Tochi Snacks’ Salted Egg Popcorn, then yes, you’ve got umami. Salted egg, a traditional Asian ingredient, adds rich, buttery textures and deep umami flavor to foods (think Parmesan cheese). Umami has not yet merged with the flavor zeitgeist in the U.S., but that may change with this non-GMO, gluten- and preservative-free, no trans-fats popcorn. Crafted by minority-founded Tochi Snacks, the popcorn celebrates and shares Asian American heritage with a much broader audience—one that will likely embrace this unique flavor.
Sea Monsters Spicy Korean BBQ Baked Supergrain and Seaweed Puffs
It’s about time for seaweed to make bigger waves in the U.S. It is naturally regenerative and requires zero inputs like fertilizer, irrigation or pesticides to thrive; it even helps to rebalance water acidity, which is increasingly out of kilter, thanks to climate change. But innovation on the seaweed snacking front has not exactly been aggressive. Sea Monsters, with its Spicy Korean BBQ Baked Supergrain and Seaweed Puffs, is out to change that. With engaging, kid-oriented branding and craveable flavors, this product is a welcome addition to the snack aisle.
Maine Crisp Co. Better with Buckwheat Sea Salt Crackers
Maine farmers grow loads of buckwheat, which they rotate in the same fields that support the state’s vibrant potato industry. And while Down Easters do eat buckwheat—they even hold a festival to celebrate ploye, a kind of buckwheat pancake—much of the Maine crop gets exported to Japan (soba noodles), France (Brittany-style crepes) and Eastern Europe (blini). Now, however, Maine Crisp Co. sources its naturally gluten-free main ingredient from buckwheat farmers in its home state, as well as New York and the Upper Midwest, and turns the flour (crafted in a 19th century New York mill) into crunchy, flaky crackers. Eschewing preservatives, artificial flavors and sugar, these protein-rich, high-fiber snacks are pollinator friendly.
GoodSAM Foods Brave Day Coffee
GoodSAM’s Brave Day Coffee not only tastes good—it does good too. This regeneratively grown, direct-trade, organic and Non-GMO Project Verified coffee is farmed by women who were victims of armed conflict in Colombia. This new product creates delicious sips that advance regenerative agriculture and uplift communities that, traditionally, may have been left out of the picture. The hints of dark chocolate, walnut and baking spice create the perfect pick-me-up for consumers and the planet.
KakaoZon Chocolate Organic 72% Chocolate Chips with Panela
KakaoZon’s Organic 72% Chocolate Chips with Panela are more than just a treat—they embody a people-focused product and represent the future of the industry. Panela is a minimally processed and vitamin- and antioxidant-rich sweetener that gives these chips a healthier and more sustainable story. With a clean label, only four organic ingredients and compact packaging, these chocolate chips offer superior quality and redefine what could otherwise be seen as “just candy.”
La Colombe Coffee Roasters Waymaker
Teamwork, er collaboration, makes the dream work! Partnering with new impact-driven organization UNSTUCK, La Colombe Coffee Roasters creates life-changing jobs for refugees. This single-origin coffee has flavors of chocolate mousse, toasted pecans and orange bitters and is sourced from a coffee producer in Colombia who focuses on hiring refugees. Through this partnership, coffee brings the power of brands, suppliers and consumers together to generate opportunities to help refugees rebuild their lives.
HiBar Sensitive Formula Natural Deodorant
Baking soda is a main ingredient in many natural deodorants, but plenty of consumers’ skin is sensitive to that component. HiBAR’s newest innovation offers a baking soda–free, fragrance-free and aluminum-free deodorant in a compostable paper applicator with a similar shape as traditional deodorant sticks. No plastic waste here! This product is sure to meet consumer demand for ultraclean formulas for sensitive skin when it launches in the fall.
Bfree Menstrual Cup
As a founding member of the Sustainable Menstrual Equity Coalition, Bfree knows a thing or two about periods. After seeing the impact that lacking the means to manage a period has on an individual and their community, Bfree partnered with a cross-functional team to create this unique no-boil period cup made of antibacterial silicone. This innovation gives women from communities without access to clean water a cost-effective, sustainable way to manage their periods. Through collaborations with the United Nations Global Compact and other organizations worldwide, Bfree’s invention addresses period poverty and offers equitable access to menstrual health education.
Reviva Labs Bakuchiol Plus Serum
Fresh, renewed skin is all the rage, but it doesn’t come from simply washing with soap and water. Bakuchiol Plus Serum harnesses the power of bakuchiol (a plant-based alternative to retinol) and vitamins, minerals and polyphenols that improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Given Reviva Labs’ long history of creating functional, effective and natural skin care, think of this new serum as a one-step solution for sustainable skin care.
Gear Hugger Heavy Duty Degreaser
Gear Hugger makes plant-based, eco-friendly products that help keep gear in play longer, reduce waste and help protect the planet. New Heavy Duty Degreaser is a 96% USDA Certified Biobased Product, free of petroleum, fossil fuels and volatile organic compounds, so it’s safe for kiddos, animals and the planet. Using upcycled products from agave and tequila production, Gear Hugger helps turn hundreds of thousands of tons of waste into this easy-to-use, easy-to-love degreaser. Each bottle features a QR code for viewing blockchain-enabled ingredient traceability, so you know it’s the real deal.
The Sustainable Care Co. Cleanery Multipurpose Cleaner
Cleaning products have a dirty secret: The half-trillion-dollar industry is based on shipping water in single-use bottles and contributing to plastic pollution. Cleanery’s “super clean, super green” ethos can be seen from the start, boasting 99% less waste and up to 99% fewer emissions than traditional cleaning products. With Cleanery’s powder refill format, consumers can use bottles they already own to create powerful cleaning products that don’t harm the planet. The New Zealand company is bringing its low-emission, low-energy factory to the U.S., showing that a powerful clean can come from a carbon-positive business.
AcreMade Power Protein Scramble Cup
This convenient plant-forward equivalent to a two-egg breakfast scramble can be prepared in minutes—just add water, mix and microwave. Made from lupin and yellow field peas grown and processed in North America, as well as Upcycled Certified pea starch, each cup provides 16 grams of protein and 3 grams of dietary fiber. Taking supply chain transparency to new heights, AcreMade, a woman-owned company, invents the pea varieties it uses in-house.
Beleaf Plant-Based Vegan Shrimp
Resembling the flavor and mouthfeel of conventional shrimp, this plant-based version is made from konjac, a high-fiber root vegetable used in traditional medicine to lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels. The vegan, allergen-free “shrimp” come in bite-size pieces that provide calcium and potassium. Beleaf is a family-run, BIPOC- and woman-owned company based in Southern California with roots in Taiwan.
Elari Vanilla Tigernut Root Milk
This milk alternative is made from only two ingredients: water and tigernut root, a climate-friendly cover crop that is an excellent source of prebiotic fiber. Fortified with calcium and vitamins A and D, Elari Tigernut Root Milk is free of sugar, oils, fillers and allergens. BIPOC- and women-owned Elari partners with Nigerian farmers who follow organic practices to grow tigernuts, which are drought and flood tolerant and require very little water to cultivate.
Jinka Plant-Based Calamari
Though squid was marketed as a sustainable seafood in the early 2000s because of its abundant population, quick growth and adaptability, it has since been overfished and become one of the least sustainable seafood sources. This calamari made from chia seeds and pea protein—which tastes remarkably like the squid version—is the first product in a new clean-label, minimal-ingredient portfolio from Jinka, a BIPOC- and woman-owned company.
Afia Foods Mediterranean Falafel Bowl with Roasted Peppers and Tomatoes
Afia merges vibrant flavors with Lebanese and Turkish roots and sprinkles in a dash of modernization to create a gluten-free, non-GMO Mediterranean masterpiece. Packed in a beautiful, reusable bowl featuring its heritage Syrian tile pattern, Afia brings authenticity and indulgence into every part of the dining experience. As a self-manufacturing company, Afia supports the community and refugees through employment opportunities, college education sponsorships and donations to food banks.
Wholly Veggie Cheezy Cauliflower and Broccoli Entrée
John Bonnell and Dave Gaucher co-founded Wholly Veggie to shine a spotlight on vegetables and position them as the hero of each delectable dish. For all the mac and cheese lovers out there, this quick, convenient, nutrient-packed entrée will soothe your soul with its rich and satisfying sauce, 12 grams of protein and healthy serving of veggies. Even the pickiest little eaters will love the flavor created by Wholly Veggie, a brand committed to food education and reducing food waste.
The Plant Based Seafood Co. Mind Blown Plant-Based Crab Cakes
The Mind Blown team is on a mission to re-create the tastes and textures that seafood lovers crave using a handful of healthy plant-based ingredients. This all-female family-owned company demonstrates its commitment to being a force for change and helping our oceans thrive by donating 1% of profits to the Coral Restoration Foundation. Thanks to these ladies’ uncanny ability to replicate traditional seafood dishes, sea foodies everywhere will truly have their minds blown by these savory, ocean-friendly crab cakes.
Castor River Farms Long Grain White Rice
Rice is a dietary staple of cultures worldwide. However, traditional rice cultivation can be an environmental nightmare. Castor River’s 100% vertically integrated supply chain means the company controls every aspect of production—growing, milling, shipping and packaging—giving it complete oversight of the sustainability measures it implements. Soil health and biodiversity are at the core of its practices, and Castor River’s new 100% compostable and recyclable packaging completes the circle of environmental responsibility.
Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals Immune
Host Defense’s newest MycoBotanicals product, Immune, uses organically grown mushroom mycelium and herbs, fusing science and nature’s innate intelligence. But an effective and innovative product is only the beginning. With 110% of its carbon emissions offset, Host Defense earned the Offsetter’s Climate Positive designation while continuing to improve operational efficiencies and increase renewable energy use. Plus, organic growing conditions and sustainable cultivation methods are enforced, meaning the mushrooms’ integrity and surrounding habitat are undisturbed and left intact. A reverence for nature and its health-promoting capabilities makes MycoBotanicals Immune a truly out-of-this-world creation.
Simple Mills Cheddar Pop Mmms Veggie Flour Baked Snack Crackers
New Simple Mills Cheddar Pop Mmms Veggie Flour Baked Snack Crackers are nutrient-dense nostalgia. Made with organic veggies like butternut squash and red beans, the texture, taste and flavor of these snacks can’t be beat. Choosing nutrient-packed, planet-smart ingredients that work in harmony with one another during the growing process, Simple Mills is committed to revolutionary food design that advances regenerative agriculture. Snacking on Pop Mmms feels like a delicious step toward a healthier world.
Surthrival Black Walnut Protein Powder
It can be a bit shocking to learn how many steps it takes, from planting to production, to create a typical plant-based protein powder. Surthrival’s Black Walnut Protein Powder changes the game with “wild nutrition you can feel great about.” Foragers, family and friends wild-collect black walnuts and are paid fairly by the pound, then the walnuts are transferred to a third-generation family-owned business in Missouri. Deep in the heart of black walnut country, this protein powder comes to life. Unlike many other protein sources, black walnut is habitat friendly, meaning no agricultural land is used and no irrigation required, as it isn’t farmed like many other nuts. Benefitting the soil, habitat, wildlife, waterways, foragers and local families, Black Walnut Protein Powder is planet and people forward.
Castor River Farms Long Grain White Rice
Rice is a dietary staple of cultures worldwide. However, traditional rice cultivation can be an environmental nightmare. Castor River’s 100% vertically integrated supply chain means the company controls every aspect of production—growing, milling, shipping and packaging—giving it complete oversight of the sustainability measures it implements. Soil health and biodiversity are at the core of its practices, and Castor River’s new 100% compostable and recyclable packaging completes the circle of environmental responsibility.
Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals Immune
Host Defense’s newest MycoBotanicals product, Immune, uses organically grown mushroom mycelium and herbs, fusing science and nature’s innate intelligence. But an effective and innovative product is only the beginning. With 110% of its carbon emissions offset, Host Defense earned the Offsetter’s Climate Positive designation while continuing to improve operational efficiencies and increase renewable energy use. Plus, organic growing conditions and sustainable cultivation methods are enforced, meaning the mushrooms’ integrity and surrounding habitat are undisturbed and left intact. A reverence for nature and its health-promoting capabilities makes MycoBotanicals Immune a truly out-of-this-world creation.
Simple Mills Cheddar Pop Mmms Veggie Flour Baked Snack Crackers
New Simple Mills Cheddar Pop Mmms Veggie Flour Baked Snack Crackers are nutrient-dense nostalgia. Made with organic veggies like butternut squash and red beans, the texture, taste and flavor of these snacks can’t be beat. Choosing nutrient-packed, planet-smart ingredients that work in harmony with one another during the growing process, Simple Mills is committed to revolutionary food design that advances regenerative agriculture. Snacking on Pop Mmms feels like a delicious step toward a healthier world.
Surthrival Black Walnut Protein Powder
It can be a bit shocking to learn how many steps it takes, from planting to production, to create a typical plant-based protein powder. Surthrival’s Black Walnut Protein Powder changes the game with “wild nutrition you can feel great about.” Foragers, family and friends wild-collect black walnuts and are paid fairly by the pound, then the walnuts are transferred to a third-generation family-owned business in Missouri. Deep in the heart of black walnut country, this protein powder comes to life. Unlike many other protein sources, black walnut is habitat friendly, meaning no agricultural land is used and no irrigation required, as it isn’t farmed like many other nuts. Benefitting the soil, habitat, wildlife, waterways, foragers and local families, Black Walnut Protein Powder is planet and people forward.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling we get when the first few NEXTY Awards-nominated products start arriving at our Boulder, Colorado, offices. Opening the hundreds of boxes that come over a span of just a few weeks often feels like the equivalent of a holiday card, a glimpse into what some of our beloved brands have been up to over the past six months or year—anything from line extensions to new product launches, rebrands and more. It is also a time for discovery, as we are tantalized and wooed by unfamiliar and, often, emerging brands, new products and even novel innovation concepts that were previously unknown—at least to us.
After all, there’s a reason the NEXTY Awards are one of our favorite times of the year for us, and we know that many retailers feel the same.
That is why it is once again an honor and a privilege to bring you the Expo East 2023 NEXTY finalists: 69 products that have risen to the top in 20 categories for this edition—the winners of which we look forward to announcing LIVE and in-person at Expo East on Thursday, Sept. 21 on the show floor in Philadelphia.
New category debuts
This year, in addition to the 19 existing NEXTY categories, New Hope debuted a special category in conjunction with the launch of the Innovation Experience at Expo East. This category challenged brands to share what innovations they’re adopting—from food technologies to artificial intelligence, nutrition science, alternative business and ownership models and more—to help steward the food industry toward a healthier, more regenerative and more equitable future. This category is for a product or brand that exemplifies this way of doing business and of using innovation as a force for good.
Click through the gallery to see the finalists.
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