KeHE recognizes 10 new products at 2019 Summer Show

Taking the spotlight from the latest natural and organic foods at this month’s KeHe’s Summer Show was a natural feminine hygiene product that says its use may also reduce menstrual cramps.

Nannocare is, according to the company’s website, “The most innovative menstrual pads infused with new Nannogenic Technology. Naturally relieve menstrual discomfort with no drugs or medicine.” The pad, made with certified organic cotton, is all natural and hypoallergenic. Because its layers are breathable and “ultra-absorbent,” the website says, they are anti-bacterial and help control odor.

The NannoPad received Overall Best of Show from the event’s attendees. To be eligible for a “Best of” award, companies must have added in the past six months a new product to their offerings that KeHe carries.

Attendees explored innovative items from more than 260 companies featured in the New Product Showcase, which also highlighted items from Certified B Corp suppliers and KeHE’s CAREtrade partners—companies that conduct philanthropic activities as part of their business. At the June Holiday Show, KeHe reported that more than 190 brands were included in the showcase.

In addition to Best of Show, retailers voted for their favorite products in nine other categories:

Best of Beverages—Berri Fit

Berri Fit, a USDA-Certified Organic, plant-based fitness beverage, is made of makuna honey, coconut water and herbs. The Santa Monica, California-based company won Best of Mission-Based Brands at KeHE’s 2018 Holiday Show and Best of Beverages at the 2018 Spring Show. It also supports sustainable organic farming, creates jobs in low-income area and works directly with farms to ensure fair working conditions.

Best of Breakfast—TBJ Gourmet

First-time exhibitor TBJ Gourmet was founded by “foodies, home brewers and especially bacon lovers,” according to its website. After years of offering Bacon Jam, the company introduced Spiced Tomato Jam, made with surplus tomatoes. A portion of the profits benefits folks who need food assistance. The company is based in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Best of Condiments & Sauces—Yo Mama’s Foods

Yo Mama’s offers a variety of salad dressings and tomato sauces for pastas, the newest being Caesar dressing and Velvety Vodka sauce. The all-natural sauces are made with fresh, non-GMO tomatoes and no added sugar. They fit well into Keto, Paleo and other low-carb diets, according to the website.

Best of Confections & Baking—Tony’s Chocolonely

Tony’s Chocolonely, based in Portland, Oregon, offers “slave-free chocolate” bars in two sizes and a variety of flavors, limited editions and gift baskets. During the 2017-2018 cocoa season, the company sold more than 36.5 million chocolate bars made with cocoa that came from 5,000 farmers who earned $2.9 million dollars more than they would have in the traditional cocoa market, the company’s website reports. The company joined KeHE’s CAREtrade Partners program in 2018.

Best of Fresh & Frozen—Frozen Garden

Frozen Garden—founded in Indiana in 2016—makes 20-ounce, single-serving smoothie pouches that, according to the website, are Non-GMO Project Verified. If a type of produce is included on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list of foods with the highest pesticide levels, Frozen Garden either buys it from a certified organic farm or a local farmer  who doesn’t use “synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.” The company won the same category at the 2018 Spring Show.

Best of Health & Wellness—Green Goo

To create petroleum- and artificial-ingredient-free first aid products, Green Goo uses carefully sourced organic and wild herbs, then infuses organic oils to “increase the medicinal value of our products,” according to the company’s website. All products from this woman-owned company are made in the United States. This Lyons, Colorado-based company produces salves, soaps, deodorants and more, and partners with nonprofit organizations around the world.

Best of Mission-Based Brands—Argania Butter

Argania’s argan nut butters come from a recipe passed down in founder Nadia Gara’s Moroccan family for more than 75 years. All products are gluten free, GMO free and dairy free. Argania is dedicated to protecting argan trees and providing employment for 240 Moroccan women. The company, which also won Best of Mission-Based Brands at the KeHE 2018 Spring Show, also offers an organic culinary argan oil.

Best of Snack Foods—Hen of the Woods

These chips, which got their start at Cincinnati, Ohio-area farmers markets, are all natural, gluten free and made with non-GMO potatoes. Now, the company sells its own dip mixes to complement those chips. Hen of the Woods received “Best of Snack Foods” at KeHe’s 2018 Holiday Show—when the chips were available at only 100 stores in five states, compared with 468 stores in 21 states and the District of Columbia now.

Best of Staple Goods & Grains—The Real Co.

The Real Co., which calls itself “the first single origin global food company,” is based in Wilmington, Delaware. Its founders believe that good-quality food should be affordable and available, and that the farmers responsible for growing that food should be treated well. Its raw cane sugar, Himalayan pink rock salt and white basmati rice each are from a single location. The company was a 2018 inductee to KeHE’s CAREtrade Partners program.

During the Summer Show, KeHE also announced the roster of this year’s CAREtrade Partners: Bhakti, Nuttzo, The Soulfull Project, This Bar Saves Lives and World Centric.

“Each year, this show continues to gain momentum,” said Brandon Barnholt, president and CEO, KeHE. “KeHE’s Summer Show is what our customers count on to stock their shelves with the hottest deals from new and established brands and to learn the compelling stories behind the brand. It also allows our suppliers to develop meaningful connections with our retail partners from around the country.”

The 2019 KeHE Holiday Show will be held June 12-13 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. The show is invite-only. For more information, visit KeHE.com.

Source: KeHE Distributors, LLC