The 2025 Natural Products NEXTY Awards represented a vibrant celebration of innovation, sustainability, and integrity in the natural products industry. Held during Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim on March 7th, the ceremony that is affectionately dubbed “NEXTY Prom”, honored standout products from a pool of over 1,000 nominations. Judges selected winners across 34 categories, crowning one champion per category from 161 finalists, plus three special Editor’s Choice Awards, which was a new addition this year.
The event spotlighted emerging trends like certified regenerative ingredients, clean and transparent sourcing, innovative brand collaborations, fungi-based innovations, sustainable comfort foods, luxurious clean beauty, and products supporting body-mind health. Winners embodied inspiration, innovation, and trustworthy practices, from fair-wage farming to regenerative agriculture and planet-friendly packaging.
While the full list appears in a gallery on the New Hope Network site (often presented as a slideshow), several key winners and highlights emerged from coverage, underscoring shifts toward better-for-you, sustainable, and functional foods, beverages, and personal care.
Key Category Winners and Standouts
Here are just a few of the notable winners:
- Meat, Dairy or Animal-Based Product — Diestel Family Ranch Primal Blend Ground Turkey This regenerative, ethically raised turkey product stood out for its commitment to sustainable animal agriculture.
- Pantry Staples — Kodiak Cakes Kernza Cakes Flapjack & Waffle Mix Featuring Kernza (a perennial grain promoting soil health), this mix highlighted regenerative agriculture in everyday comfort foods.
- Dairy Alternative — Nature’s Fynd Dairy-Free Strawberry Fy Yogurt A fungi-fermented, planet-friendly yogurt alternative praised for its creamy texture and innovative sourcing from ancient microbial strains.
- Meat Alternative — Big Mountain Foods Plant-Based Roast Delivering hearty, plant-powered roasts that mimic traditional favorites with clean ingredients.
- Functional Food or Beverage — Chad & Barney’s Sturdy Sauce Sweet Basil A high-protein, nutrient-dense pasta sauce designed to boost meals with functional benefits— a crowd-pleaser for health-conscious cooking.
Other highlighted winners from ceremony recaps and reports include:
- Yo Egg — Recognized in a plant-based or functional category for its innovative egg alternative.
- Nuts for Cheese — Celebrated in dips/spreads or cheese alternatives for creamy, nut-based cheeses.
- Gaia Herbs Metabolic Activator — In supplements, for body-mind enhancement.
- Unscented Company Lotion Bar — In personal care/beauty, emphasizing clean, luxurious formulations.
- DL Family Ranch (likely tied to meat products) — For ethical, high-quality animal-based offerings.
Why These Awards Matter
The NEXTY Awards go beyond trophies—they signal what’s next for the natural products world. Trends from 2025 finalists and winners pointed to a future where sustainability (regenerative, zero-plastic, fair trade) meets indulgence (delicious frozen meals, flavorful sauces, luxurious clean beauty). As one recap noted, “sustainability and flavor go hand in hand,” and responsible practices are driving real change.
The ceremony featured emotional moments: founders and teams rushing the stage for hugs, high-fives, and photos, with emcee Scott Dicker (SPINS senior director) adding flair as “prom king extraordinaire.” A special Greg Steltenpohl Pragmatic Visionary Award went to Row 7 Seed Company (led by chef Dan Barber) for advancing seed innovation.
These awards continue to spotlight brands pushing boundaries—proving the natural products space is thriving with creativity and conscience. Cheers to the 2025 winners for redefining what’s possible on shelves and in lives!
For more information, visit: Nexty Awards