September 10, 2021
Fila Manila Filipino American Kitchen founder Jake Deleon brings a versatile sauce from his family’s cookbook to the condiment aisle with this Filipino Adobo Sauce & Marinade. This Filipino staple is tangy, savory, and salty all at once, and Fila Manila’s take on this iconic sauce is both a great entry point to the cuisine and an attractive new option for aficionados with its clean, minimal ingredient list and use of tamari over wheat-based soy sauce. These modest updates to typical conventional versions cut no corners with authenticity; the sauce gets some of its zip from coconut vinegar, yum! As though that wasn’t enough to be excited about, the brand also regularly partners with AAPI non-profits including Project Barkada most recently; the effort provided 300 free meals to frontline workers and families in need living in underserved communities.
The menopausal “power surges” are no fun for any woman of a certain age. The active ingredient here, EstroG-100, does everything right. It’s the rare ingredient with an NDI approval from the FDA, vouchsafing safety. Comprised of three botanicals, it is also registered as safe food materials in the Korean FDA and received EU Novel Foods status. In a four-month human clinical on American women, EstroG-100 significantly improved 10 of the 12 primary menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, low energy, nervousness, sleeplessness and vaginal dryness. This is three times better than other natural, botanical-based products clinically tested using the same Kupperman model. A follow-up, three-month study by different researchers came to the same conclusion—10 of 12 symptoms significantly improved.
Carrington Farms has partnered with Simply Tera's to provide a much-needed advancement in the ubiquitous protein powder tub. This 100% recyclable tub is a good step we haven't yet seen for such a commonly purchased packaging format. It's made of 100% post-consumer recycled materials, including the canister, cap and scoop—made from recycled curbside-collected DHPE2 plastic food containers— and even the label and inner seal are made from recycled materials. Once empty, the entire container can be recycled at home. With a mission to be 100% carbon neutral by 2024, Carrington Farms is essentially buying back its own plastic, creating a zero-waste stream for this Simply Tera's tub. Kudos!
Mission-driven companies are what defines the natural products industry—and nowhere is that so passionately lived as in the hemp trade. This is an unassailable truth. So it’s no surprise that Head & Heal starts with hemp that is USDA organic using regenerative, soil-building practices since the founding of its farm more than a decade ago. The New York state company grew two new varieties of CBG-rich plants in 2020 and extracted the hemp in its cGMP facility in Cortland, Upstate New York. CBG works to fight inflammation, pain and nausea. People who take CBG claim a sense of alertness or focus.
A prime cut of plant-based goodness, these innovative plant-based meatballs pack an extra meaty taste and texture, while using simple, premium and wholesome ingredients—truly. Innovatively thinking outside the patty, The Very Good Butchers believe in butchering beans, not animals, creating delicious and nutritious plant-based meats that provide the same familiar flavors that would please discerning meat eaters, without any of the meat! Built with integrity through and through, MMM…Plant-Based Meatballs are gluten-free and soy-free and meet the needs of customers focused on the impacts of what they eat on the environment. These plant-based meatballs deserve to be nestled into the center of your spaghetti bowl.
Misha's elevates the plant-based food game with its super clean and delicious dairy-free French Connection Cheese. Made with traditional methods and without vegetable oils, soy, fillers, starchers or nutritional yeast, this cheese provides a delicious option for vegans, the lactose free and those adhering to a keto or paleo diet. Creamy without any cream, Misha's French Connection Cheese is made from a cashew and almond milk base and features herbs de provence, grains of paradise and black olives. The stunning packaging is sure to standout on shelf and the company's B Corporation certification will appeal to discerning shoppers.
With this product, Farmer Focus offers up an easy-to-prepare, delightfully tasty, healthy chicken dish to meet the increased demand of home cooks seeking unique, elevated, clean and efficient ways to get dinner on the table. This pre-seasoned organic chicken dish saves time, while still delivering on Farmer Focus’s core brand values of organic, traceable and humane. Farmer Focus was founded by a sixth-generation chicken farmer and is the only 100% organic and humane-certified chicken company with a mission to protect, promote and empower generational family farms. Not only is this chicken’s flavor memorable, but every package of Farmer Focus chicken is 100% transparent and traceable to the farm where it was raised. This product is USDA Certified Organic, Certified Humane, Halal and gluten free.
Not only is this the only Certified Regenerative dairy (by the Savory Institute and the Regenerative Organic Alliance), it is also the only milk that uses seasonal milkfat. Each carton of this 100% grass-fed A2, USDA Organic milk has a QR code that consumers can scan to see the milkfat percentage for that carton’s Best By date. The brand farms 4,300 acres, with its regenerative farming practices producing tangible benefits for soil biomass and the restoration of ecosystems and habitats for various animal species. Its practices also include intensive rotational grazing, waste upcycling and supporting the local community around this Northern California family farm.
Only fruits and vegetables grown using biodynamic farming techniques go into these unsweetened baby food pouches, which exemplify the company’s commitment to regenerative farming and making foods that are produced in harmony with the planet. This product is the first to use regeneratively farmed, biodynamic organic oats in this new peach and oat baby food blend. The oats are a not-often seen ingredient in baby food blends and add an extra level of nutrition to help satiate young palettes. White Leaf Provisions product showcase a level of farming that considers both the quality and cleanliness of the ingredients, as well as the social accountability of the farming to grow them, to be equal. All of the fruit used in the pouches is seasonally grown and handpicked from 30-plus-year-old orchards. In addition to USDA Organic certification, the products are Certified Biodynamic by Demeter and GMO free. White Leaf Provisions’ entire baby food line is the first shelf-stable baby food in the U.S. to be certified Glyphosate residue-free and product is tested regularly for toxic metals. The company uses the minimum amount of packaging necessary and offers parents a free mail-in recycling option for all packaging.
In a world where alternative meat and alternative milk are gaining traction in the mainstream, alternative alcohol can’t be far behind. At the forefront of that burgeoning movement is Ritual, which boasts a line of zero-proof alcohols that are scarily akin to the real thing. The packaging aspect here is impressive: Its bottles are made of 60% recycled material and the caps are made entirely of sugarcane. Notably, this rum alternative may just be more complex flavor-wise and pleasant to drink than actual rum. Conscious consumption for the win!
With this product, Farmer Focus offers up an easy-to-serve, delightfully tasty healthy chicken dish. A sweet and savory mix of red pepper, ginger and garam masala on bone-in-thigh chicken, this dish provides a global, culinary experience from the comfort of home, while meeting the increased demand of home cooks seeking unique, elevated, clean and efficient ways to get dinner on the table. This pre-seasoned organic chicken dish saves time, while still delivering on Farmer Focus’s core brand values of organic, traceable and humane. Farmer Focus was founded by a sixth-generation chicken farmer and is the only 100% organic and humane-certified chicken company with a mission to protect, promote and empower generational family farms. Not only is this chicken’s flavor memorable, but every package of Farmer Focus chicken is 100% transparent and traceable to the farm where it was raised. This product is USDA Certified Organic, Certified Humane, Halal and gluten free.
Hydration. MCTs. No added sugar. Clean ingredient deck. This on-trend USDA Organic, Fair for Life beverage blends tried-and-true coconut water with the meat of the seed into a decadent smoothie. And, as has become standard of the inspiring Harmless Harvest, the beverage maker continues to up the ante as it strives for zero waste responsible agriculture. Last year, the company partnered to launch the Regenerative Coconuts Agriculture Project to create and advance a regenerative coconut growth model that also focuses on the growers in Thailand.
Packing functional ingredients and Asian-inspired flavors into oatmeal is what Yishi is all about. In this case, it’s a mouthful of words that might have some scratching their heads, but it’s also a mouthful of rich and unique flavors. Here, certified organic, high-fiber, gluten-free oatmeal is boosted with taro and coconut milk for a rich flavor and mouthfeel reminiscent of bubble tea. No actual bobas here, but there is black tea, a hint of sweet from erythritol and stevia and some protein and texture provided by hemp, flax, chia seeds and almond flour. Introduced in the cup format, the new pouch brings it to the whole family at once.
Committing to reducing packaging waste in one’s beauty routine is no small feat. However, shampoo and conditioner are two things consumers can toss out right away thanks to products like this plastic-free conditioner bar from Spinster Sisters. It conditions hair with ingredients including shea butter and argan oil, with a touch of hydrolyzed oats, rosemary and mint. The company is currently in the verification stage for B Corp certification, and it’s also planning on becoming Climate Neutral certified in 2022. A totally clean, great-smelling way to keep plastic bottles out of landfills.
Scientists are still working on the details—and there are lots of them—but it’s clear that every system in the body is connected to what goes on in the gut. But while much has been said of the “brain-gut axis” and what the microbiome can do for immunity, very little is said about the lungs. That effectively grants For the Biome a market all to its own. What the brand has done with that opportunity is pair fermented botanicals to produce postbiotics that are then paired with a probiotic strain that evidence shows can improve respiratory health. Founded by Paul Schulick, who also launched New Chapter, the brand is charting a bold course. That this innovation comes from a brand with For the Biome’s history and integrity adds credibility to the claims.
A mushroom-derived sparkling adaptogen tonic? Yes, it's here. Adaptonic uniquely combines flavor and function, delivering immunity-strengthening deliciousness one recyclable, bubbly can at a time. Inspired by the immunity enhancing benefits and adaptogenic power of beta-glucans, Rowdy Mermaid extracts and innovates again, delivering all of the reishi-derived immunity-promoting perks, but with none of the mushroom taste! Pure deliciousness and clean refreshment with functional benefits. In addition to the adaptogenic benefit, beta-glucans is combined with other functional ingredients like ashwagandha, matcha tea and holy basil for an amazing taste.
This B Corp-aspiring brand encourages support for small farmers with this delicious salty snack. By working directly with a group of 5,000 small holder Kenyan farmers who have developed a regenerative farming system, GoodSam is able to source its nuts responsibly. The company uses an advanced digital infrastructure to keep track of organic fertilizers and materials required by the farm, and even makes digital direct payments into the farmers' personal bank accounts. Macadamia nuts are the most keto-friendly nut, and this just-launched organic and regeneratively farmed option should be a favorite for those adhering to a keto diet.
Big Mountain Foods has created a tasty tofu with 14 grams of protein per serving, but with chickpeas instead of traditional soy. This innovative ingredient swap makes the product allergen friendly without sacrificing on a firm and creamy texture. Even better, the company upcycles the tofu biproduct known as Okara into a chickpea starch used as a substitute for corn starch, which makes the production of the chickpea tofu zero-waste.
Nutricare, a B Corp, brings its newest product STRAP to market as an environmentally friendly alternative to rigid sport and body tape. Most often spotted on calves, quads, hammies, biceps and beside joints of concern, this tape style is a favorite of athletes or anyone seeking to alleviate pressure on an ailing muscle or joint. STRAP not only delivers on athletic support but also on a zero-waste promise. The biodegradable natural bamboo fiber and compostable packaging stand out in a product category fueled by plastics, PVCs and acrylics. Vegan and non-toxic, STRAP purports to be more breathable and gentler on skin than conventional counterparts. Who wouldn’t want to avoid rashes and involuntary hair removal? The benefits don’t stop there; in partnership with Trees for the Future, Nutricare also plants a tree for every new door and every online sale—over 45,000 to date.
The immune-support supplements aisle has never been more crowded. Every big-time supplements company has reformulated or developed anew an immunity supplement. What makes this one stand out from the crowd is it’s designed to kick-start one’s immunity—immune cells are activated within only two hours—and then it’s to be used for only a week or so. That’s a powerful message—don’t take this forever, just when you really, really need it. It contains a veritable kitchen sink of immune-support ingredients—PureWay-C is absorbed faster and retained longer than regular vitamin C and is mostly responsible for that quick jolt of immune cells. There’s also EpiCor, a clinically validated branded ingredient that got its start from a company whose HR department noted everyone working with it got sick way less often than those in the company who didn’t. Then the product provides classic immune support from elderberry, herbals, prebiotics, probiotics, vitamin D3 and zinc.
"Ultimate" is an appropriate word to describe this grain-free cookie mix from Otto's Naturals. Made with the company's own premium cassava flour, which it developed with a group in Brazil to ensure it will perform as well as its wheat-based counterparts, this cookie mix takes a "kitchen sink" approach to make customizable cookies with whatever each home baker has in their pantry. As a partner of the Autism Hope Alliance, Otto's Naturals provides busy parents a delicious option for families living with restrictive dietary needs and developmental disabilities. The cookie mix, which is free from the top eight allergens and certified organic, is sure to delight kids and adults alike.
Open a pack of fruit gummies at a group playdate and be prepared for judging glances. Many fruit gummies are packed with added sugar and all manner of “what’s that doing in there?” ingredients. Solely comes not just free of added sugar but free of added guilt as well, with an ingredient lists that’s short enough to cut those judging glances short: mano and abscorbic acid (vitamin C); that’s it. Many will argue that real fruit is always better—and they’re mostly right—but nobody is going to argue that bringing a mango, a knife and a cutting board to that playground play date is a practical or good idea. And it’s hard to argue against Solely for taking a lot of the yuck out of fruit gummies.
Inspiring for its innovative environmentally responsible packaging, Steeped’s Breakwater Blend is also just plain good coffee, slow French-roasted over a sustainable oak wood fire. A B Corp certified company, Steeped has taken fair trade organic coffee and put it into bags a la tea. Steeped’s is not the first, but in this case, both bag and outer film are commercially compostable—a welcome response to the wasteful K-cup trend. And no machine required!
Inspiring for its innovative environmentally responsible packaging, Steeped’s Breakwater Blend is also just plain good coffee, slow French-roasted over a sustainable oak wood fire. A B Corp certified company, Steeped has taken fair trade organic coffee and put it into bags a la tea. Steeped’s is not the first, but in this case, both bag and outer film are commercially compostable—a welcome response to the wasteful K-cup trend. And no machine required!
The 2021 Expo East NEXTY Awards winners were announced on the Natural Products Expo Virtual platform on Sept. 15, 2021, bringing to a close another exciting round of these natural products industry awards.
More than 650 products participated in this edition, competing for the top prize in 23 categories that represent a wide range of product types—from supplements to food, beverage, personal care, natural living and more—as well as attributes.
As always, the nominated products were evaluated based on the criteria of innovation, inspiration and integrity—along with potential impact—over the course of two week-long judging rounds that took place at the New Hope Network office in Boulder, Colorado.
The 78 brands chosen as finalists during the first, preliminary round of judging include many with organic certification, regenerative agriculture commitments, strong social or environmental missions and other characteristics that inspire a healthy, sustainable future for people and planet.
From there, a panel of seven industry judges joined the New Hope Network judging team during the final week of judging for the difficult task of selecting a single winner in each category.
Click through this gallery to learn more about the fabulous winners of the Natural Products Expo East 2021 NEXTY Awards.
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