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ECRM/MMR Buyer’s Choice Awards

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MIAMI — Kapoya Energy Drink, Secret Aardvark, and Beanfields Snacks were recognized for their new products at the ECRM/MMR Buyer’s Choice Awards, held during ECRM’s Snack, Beverage and Grocery EPPS here last month. This is the first of a series of award programs ECRM and MMR will host at upcoming ECRM EPPS meetings.

Kapoya Energy Drink won for the Beverage category with its line of premium energy drinks; Secret Aardvark, a provider of sauces, won for the grocery category, and Beanfields’ Jalapeño Nacho Bean and Rice Chips took the prize for the Snacks category.

More than 50 retail buyers sampled products from entrants during an “awards cocktail hour,” and cast votes on their favorite items for each of three categories: Beverages, Grocery, and Snacks. Winners were announced and presented their awards during dinner following the cocktail hour. Each winner will receive a free half-page or discounted full-page advertisement in an upcoming issue of MMR.

The Winners

Port Saint Lucie, Fla.-based Kapoya Energy Drink seeks to develop a new category within the energy drink market that focuses on great taste for healthy-lifestyle consumers.

Its line of energy drinks in 16-ounce cans, which won the Buyers Choice award for the Beverage category, are taurine- and sugar-free, contain essential B-Vitamins and 80 mg of caffeine, and are available in four proprietary flavors: Mango Passionfruit, Wild Grape, Blue Raspberry and Pink Lemonade. “We’re looking forward to growing our brand and being an innovative partner to our customers,” said Mark Burrell, chief strategy officer.

Portland, Ore.-based Secret Aardvark offers a line of sauces developed to be unique, flavorful, and affordably-priced, available in three varieties: Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce, Drunken Garlic Black Bean, and Drunken Jerk Jamaican Marinade. The company began selling its sauces at Portland farmers markets in 2004, and has since grown its distribution to more than 700 hundred grocery stores and restaurants in the northwest.

The company’s Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce, which won for the Grocery category, is the company’s flagship sauce. Unlike many hot sauces, which are vinegar-based, Aardvark’s features roasted tomatoes and carrots to bring out the natural sweetness of habanero peppers to create a flavor that starts off sweet and then creeps in with a delicate after burn, according to the company. “We don’t try to blow your head off with heat,” said owner Stacy Moritz. “We try to find the balance between flavor and burn. Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce is a table hot sauce for everyday use. It’s a favorite of celebrity chefs Michael Symon, Mario Batali and Duff Goldman.”

Los Angeles-based Beanfields Snacks Bean and Rice Chips are certified gluten-free, Non-GMO Project Verified, vegan and allergy-friendly, and are available in 10 flavors, including Sea Salt, White Bean, Black Bean, Nacho, Pico de Gallo, Barbecue, Ranch, Salt & Pepper, Jalapeño Nacho, and Unsalted. Each has 150 percent more protein, 250 percent more fiber and up to 44 percent less fat per serving than typical tortilla chips, according to the company.

Beanfields won for the Snacks category with its new Jalapeño Nacho Bean and Rice Chips, which it says are ideal for consumers craving a delicious plate of cheesy nachos layered with jalapeño peppers, and provide a “spicy kick and fiery, cheesy flavor straight out of the bag.”

“Beanfields has high standards when it comes to flavor profiles and ingredients, so there is a lot of time and effort put into every new product developed,” said John Honeck, executive vice president of sales. “We’re thrilled that our team’s hard work and dedication to making a delicious, better-for-you chip is being recognized.”

 


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