New Hope Network, a division of Informa Markets and the parent company of Organic Produce Network, has announced the opening of nominations for its NEXTY Awards, an annual program that has been recognizing the most innovative, inspirational and integrity-driven products in the natural products industry for more than a decade.

The current edition of this prestigious awards program will culminate with the announcement of the winners at Natural Products Expo West this March 4-7, 2025, in Anaheim, California. Brands need not be an exhibitor at Expo West to apply for a NEXTY Award and take advantage of the multiple benefits of being declared a finalist or winner. See below for more details.

Nominations will be open from Sept. 16–Dec. 2 for products in 35 categories. Perishable samples may only be received from Dec. 2–Dec. 5, and the first round of judging will commence the following week. Finalists will be announced on Feb. 12 on newhope.com and winners will be selected in a second round of judging by a panel of retailers and other industry experts.

Packaged Produce category expands

The 2024 edition of the NEXTY awards was record-breaking, with nearly 1,500 nominations and 154 finalists. It also saw the debut of numerous new categories, including Packaged Produce, which includes (dehydrated, fresh or frozen) products such as salad kits, sprouts, prepared beets, frozen smoothie fruit and acai bowls, packaged mushrooms, etc.

GoodSam won the Packaged Produce category in 2024 for its Pineapple Slices

Additional categories relevant to the organic produce industry might include the following:

People-Forward Product—These brands put people first, whether through their transparent, fair or direct-trade sourcing practices, support of local or global communities, vertical integration, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion practices; support of food access, living wages, employee care, etc.

Planet-Forward Product—These brands have demonstrable commitments to sustainable environmental practices (alternative energy, zero waste, regenerative agriculture, circular economies, environmentally responsible packaging, food waste, upcycling…) and exhibit an exemplary level of transparency and understanding of how their practices impact the planet. 

Certified Organic Product—This category is for brands that are doing more by engaging in policy to strengthen organic standards, converting or expanding acreage or showcasing a deep understanding of the ecological journey to their organic efforts. Nominating brands must be Certified Organic USDA NOP standards or equivalent.

Certified Regenerative Product—This category is for brands that are doing more by engaging in policy to strengthen regenerative standards, converting or expanding acreage or showcasing a deep understanding of the ecological journey to their regenerative efforts. Nominating brands must be Regenerative Organic Certified, Land to Market Verified or Certified Regenerative by AGW.

Plant Party!—These products help promote and educate about the benefits of putting plants at the forefront and answer a growing consumer demand for plant-focused products that support climate, health and/or animal welfare issues. Products do not need to be strictly 100% plant-based or vegan (i.e. honey may be used as a sweetener) but rather celebrate the plants at center stage.

Packaging—Packaging stands out for its sustainability, messaging, branding, design or innovation.

Savory or Salty Snack

Sweet Snack and Desserts—Chocolate, cookies, gummies, fruit snacks and other sweet treats.

How to nominate a product

The nomination form will open on Monday, Sept. 16. The link to the nomination form will be here on expowest.com.

What are the judging criteria?

The editors and judges use these criteria to determine whether a product is worthy of a coveted NEXTY Award:

Additionally, all products must meet New Hope Network's Ingredient Standards & Guidelines, which are the same standards and guidelines in place for all exhibitors at Natural Products Expos.

What are the benefits of winning a NEXTY Award?

NEXTY Award finalists and winners receive considerable industry recognition before and after the natural product expo.

All finalists will be featured in a special showcase at Expo West, as well as on each expo's virtual platform. They will also be included in a print feature in the retail-facing Natural Foods Merchandiser magazine and a number of special features on newhope.com.

The NEXTY winners receive all the benefits of the finalists as well as a NEXTY trophy, exclusive rights to use the NEXTY Awards winner logo in promotions and packaging, access to the winner’s toolkit to maximize their award and more.

Where can I learn more about the NEXTY Awards?

The Expo West NEXTY Awards website is your go-to resource for all NEXTY Awards details, including the nomination form, the categories, associated fees, past winners, the benefits of winning, the rotating industry judging panel and more! The NEXTY Awards Nomination Guide (which will be available for download on Sept. 16) will equip you with the information you need to successfully nominate your product.