The winners of Albertsons Companies’ first Associate Choice Awards. These products were selected by Albertsons Cos. associates as their favorite Own Brands products of 2020.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons Cos. on Tuesday celebrated the stars of its Own Brands portfolio, announcing the winners of its first “Own Brands Associate Choice Awards.” Thousands of associates cast votes, choosing their favorite Albertsons Own Brands products in 15 categories. The votes were cast during the company’s January Own Brands “Best for Less” campaign.

“We’re proud of the quality and value of all our Own Brands products, but we were especially interested to learn which products our associates love the most,” said Chad Coester, senior vice president of own brands at Albertsons Cos. “These are the products they are fanatical about and most proudly recommend to shoppers.”

The most popular selection was the Signature Reserve sea salt dark chocolate caramels, which received more votes than any other product. The caramels also won in two categories: favorite new 2020 Own Brands product and favorite guilty pleasure food item.

“Hands down the best sea salt caramels I’ve ever had!” said Sharon Johnson, a front-end customer service representative at the Shaw’s store in Wakefield, R.I.

“The Signature Reserve dark chocolate sea salt caramels are an escape into decadent deliciousness,” said Albertsons Cos. senior IT auditor Cheri Harris.

The winners are:

• Favorite new 2020 Own Brands product: Signature RESERVE dark chocolate sea salt caramels
• Favorite snack to eat on the go: Signature SELECT mix nuts deluxe value size
• Favorite healthy alternative: Open Nature parmesan cheese crisps
• Favorite “pick me up” product: O Organics French dark roast ground coffee
• Favorite breakfast item: Open Nature uncured applewood smoked bacon
• Favorite “home-gating” food: Signature CAFE hot fried chicken
• Favorite chef-inspired meal item: waterfrontBISTRO Responsible Choice raw shrimp
• Favorite item to stock up on: Lucerne shredded Mexican style four cheese blend
• Favorite “kid-approved” product: Signature SELECT macaroni and cheese
• Favorite baby product: Open Nature Free & Clear baby wipes
• Favorite “guilty pleasure” food item: Signature RESERVE dark chocolate sea salt caramels
• Favorite “treat yourself” product: Open Nature peppermint beeswax lip balm
• Favorite adult beverage: Signature RESERVE Tennessee whiskey
• Favorite immunity boosting product: O Organics vitamin D3 gummies
• Favorite product for your furry friend: Signature PET CARE chicken jerky dog treats

“Whether it’s innovative flavors of ice cream, including non-dairy options, or high-quality wines and award-winning spirits, Own Brands provides a wide offering of products with something for every shopper,” Coester said.

The Own Brands portfolio is comprised of more than 12,000 products that are exclusive to Albertsons Cos. stores, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Shaw’s, Star Market, United Supermarkets, Market Street and Haggen.

The products are offered under a variety of unique brands, including the Signature family of brands that includes Signature Select, Signature Farms, Signature Cafe, Signature Care and Signature Reserve, as well as Open Nature, O Organics, Lucerne, waterfrontBISTRO Responsible Choice seafood, Primo Taglio, Value Corner and debi lilly design.