As with every Sweets & Snacks Expo, the event starts by recognizing innovation in the industry and this year was no different with the pacesetters kicking off proceedings on the first day by being recognized at the Most Innovative New Product Awards Ceremony.
Full list of winners
Best in Show: Ferrara – Trolli Sour Crunchy Crawlers
Small Business Innovator: Newfangled Confections – Classic Peanut Frittle
Chocolate Winner: The Hershey Company – KitKat Duos Mint + Dark Chocolat
Non-Chocolate Winner: Just Born Quality Confections – Lemon and Marshmallow Flavored Jelly Beans
Sweet Snacks Winner: Tru Fru LLC – Whole Raspberries Freshly Frozen & Immersed in Premium White and Milk Chocolate
Salty Snacks Winner: Kellogg Company – Cheez-It Snap’d
Savory Snacks Winner: Mondelez International, Inc – Triscuit Wheatberry Clusters - Pumpkin Seeds & Sweet Corn
Novelty/Licensed Winner: Jel Sert Company – Sour Patch Kids Twin Tube Freezer Bars
Seasonal Winner: Ferrara – Trolli Sour Brite Candy Corn
Gourmet Winner: Tru Fru – Whole Raspberries Freshly Frozen & Immersed in Premium White and Dark Chocolate
Gum & Mints Winner: Ferrero USA, Inc. – Tic Tac X-Freeze
And ahead of that pack was Tru Fru, a startup from Salt Lake City, less than two years old, who walked away with two awards:
Sweet Snacks Winner: Tru Fru – Whole Raspberries Freshly Frozen & Immersed in Premium White and Milk Chocolate
Gourmet Winner: Tru Fru – Whole Raspberries Freshly Frozen & Immersed in Premium White and Dark Chocolate
The judges were clearly impressed with Tru Fru’s frozen fresh raspberries and cherries made with 100% real fruit, frozen fresh, immersed in white and dark or milk chocolate, and hyper-chilled at -300 degrees to enhance flavour - at only 90 calories per serving.
Check out our video above where we talk to Brian NeVille founder/CEO of Tru Fru about the company’s recipe for success.
A panel of judges representing retail leaders in the confectionery and snack category evaluated products in nine categories: chocolate, non-chocolate, sweet, salty, savory, novelty, seasonal, gourmet/premium, and gum & mints.
Organizers said that more than 300 products were entered for consideration across the categories and judges evaluated products based on their taste, packaging, innovation and go-to-market feasibility.
“Innovative new products generate fun and excitement for consumers which is key to building a satisfying and compelling shopper experience,” said John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association (NCA). “The companies highlighting their new products should feel proud of what they have created and their impact, which drives category growth in our vibrant industry.”
The NCA acknowledged a 10-15% increase of entries in this year’s innovation wards, representing a market worth at least $1.8bn.
In addition to awards in each of the nine categories, there was also a Best in Show award for overall best new product and a Small Business Innovator award that recognizes companies with net sales less than $500,000.
The Best in Show award was won by Ferrara for its Trolli Sour Crunchy Crawlers, while the Small Business Innovator award went to Newfangled Confections for its Classic Peanut Frittle.
“Innovation is always a source of excitement in our industry,” said Larry Levin, executive vice president of market and shopper intelligence at awards sponsors IRi. “Honoring groundbreaking innovations through the Most Innovative New Product Awards helps companies share that excitement with show attendees, who in turn help build that excitement with consumers in the market. We always look forward to seeing where the winners’ products will take them.”
Hershey, celebrating its 125 years in the industry with a large showing at the Expo, grabbed the Chocolate category winner with its new KitKat Duos Mint + Dark Chocolate.
