How ’bout a matcha latte popcorn? Or ramen-flavored snack mix? Maybe one of those Dubai chocolates you keep hearing about?
Those were among the winners of the Most Innovative New Product Awards at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo, held in Indianapolis May 19-21. Retail judges weighed more than 400 nominees, settling on winner in 14 categories. Three winners were popcorns, two from Belle's, although in different categories.
The winners were:
- Best in Show: Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn Matcha Latte Popcorn
- Small Business Innovator: Nomad Snacks Pad Thai Flavored Ready-to-eat Popcorn
- Salty Snacks: Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn Dubai Chocolate Popcorn
- Chocolate: Pop & Sol Coconut Flaked White Chocolate Covered Cashews
- Gourmet/Premium Confections: Mattigan’s Dubai Style Chocolate Spread
- Gum & Mints: breathROX Popping Breath Mints – Blue Raspberry
- Gummy Candy: Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters – Strawberry Punch
- Non-Chocolate Candy: Juicy Drop Gummy Mystery Cube 5oz. Original Flavor
- Novelty/Licensed: Ezee Freezee Freeze-n-Peel Strawberry Pop
- Seasonal: Amos Tastysounds JinglePop Graffiti
- Meat Snacks: Bavarian Meats Original Lil’ Landjaeger Individually Wrapped Stick
- Savory Snacks: Snak Club Ramen flavored Snack Mix
- Sweet Snacks: Chunk Nibbles Toffee Sweet & Salty Clusters
- Baked Goods: Trashy Gourmet Shortbread Cookies with Mini Strawberry Boba from Molly Bz Cookies
By the way, after two years in Indy, next year’s show will be in Las Vegas.
“The Most Innovative New Product Awards are a celebration of the creativity and ingenuity that keeps people coming back to the candy and snack aisles,” said John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Assn., the host organization for Sweets & Snacks Expo. “Consumers turn to confectionery and snack products to add a little sweet or salty touch to special occasions and everyday moments. This year’s winners are outstanding examples of the ways in which the confectionery and snack industries are delivering products to meet consumers where they want to be met.”
