CAPE CORAL, Fla. — DEFY won the ECRM/MMR Buyers Choice Award for its Orange Mango CBD athletic performance drink during ECRM’s recent CBD Food & Beverage Program. Mood33 was a 2nd Place winner for its Joy hemp-infused herbal iced tea.

Both companies were among dozens of entrants whose products were displayed in the hospitality area during the program, which was held in Cape Coral, Fla. Buyers cast their votes based on product innovation and packaging.

“As this was our first program in the CBD food and beverage category, we were blown away by the amount of product innovation that’s already happening in the space,” said Tyler Barich, VP of Grocery, ECRM. “CBD’s growth in popularity is a part of the overarching wellness lifestyle that consumers have embraced, and both winners have developed products with these consumers in mind.”

1st Place: DEFY

In 2017, Pro Football Hall of Fame Running Back Terrell Davis first used hemp extract CBD to recover after a workout — and it changed his life. According to TD (see video), he was able to recover faster between workouts and achieve a level of locked-in focus that helped him defy the challenges he faced that often hold athletes back: his injury history, overworked muscles, and the deteriorating effects of age. Inspired to share these benefits with all athletes, Terrell and his team embarked on a mission to launch DEFY.

DEFY’s line of athletic performance drinks in Lemonade, Mixed Berry, and Orange Mango flavors feature 20mg of performance spectrum hemp extract and 0% THC. It was developed to aid in optimal hydration with coconut water and a burst of electrolytes, potassium and vitamins, and is gluten, dairy and soy free with no artificial colors, and only natural flavors and sweeteners.

The company uses patented technologies to ensure 0% THC, enable optimal absorption, and deliver increased bioavailability of ingredients with maximum benefit. Its hemp extract is exclusively sourced from U.S. licensed crops grown using organic practices that are traceable back to the batch, and 3rd-party tested for potency, microbials, heavy metals, solvents, synthetic cannabinoids, THC compliance, & World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) compliance.

DEFY is the first CBD season sponsor in IndyCar history and the first CBD sponsor in Professional Tennis. The company will soon be launching a line of custom formulated performance and recovery-enhancing CBD tinctures, as well as a high-potency CBD mentholated muscle balm formulated to relax and relieve stressed and tired muscles.

2^nd Place: Mood33

Mood33 was launched by two beverage industry veterans, Eric Schnell and Steven Kessler, the co-founders of the Steaz brand of organic and fair trade certified iced green teas. Now they are leveraging their experience in building Steaz to national prominence to grow their latest venture. Mood33’s line of non-carbonated/non-intoxicating hemp-infused herbal iced teas in are available in different mood states/flavor blends: Calm, Peace, Wellbeing, Joy, Passion, Energy. Each is packed with a variety of botanical ingredients, sweetened with organic cane sugar and anchored with 33mg of full spectrum hemp. The botanicals are designed to harmonize with hemp to elevate consumers to the perfect mood state, according to the company.

The Buyers Choice Award winning product, Joy, is a blend of full-spectrum hemp extract with an infusion of Yerba Mate and refreshing peach. Housed in an eye-catching, resealable and recyclable 12oz. can, it can be enjoyed on many usage occasions both indoors and outdoors.

Honorable Mentions from the CBD Food & Beverage Buyers Choice Awards include: Betty Lous, Cannadips, The Cure Brand, The Feels, Oleo, Phivida and Sweet Reason.