The results are in.
Retail buyers attending ECRM’s virtual Everyday and Summer Seasonal Candy Planning session Aug. 31-Sept. 11 have selected winners of the 2020 Buyer's Choice Awards.
Presented in partnership with ECRM, retail buyers were asked to vote for the most innovative products in the chocolate, non-chocolate and novelty categories. Participating sellers submitted 98 products for judging.
Winners will receive a special callout in the post-program coverage, set to appear on CandyIndustry.com in October. Candy Industry would like to extend congratulations to all the winners!
Best Chocolate
Loacker USA
Jersey City, N.J. / loackerusa.com / (212) 742-8510
Loacker Napolitaner Specialty Chocolate Bar
This milk chocolate bar features fine hazelnut cream and light, crispy Loacker wafer. The Napolitaner name highlights that originally only nut varieties grown around Naples were used in the bar.
S.R.P. (54g): $1.59-1.99
Best Non-Chocolate
Albanese Confectionery Group
Merrillville, Ind. / albanesecandy.com / (219) 942-1877
Ultimate™ 8 Flavor Gummi Bears™
Albanese World’s Best Ultimate™ 8 Flavor Gummi Bears™ have elevated the tasting experience by using its signature texture and innovative flavors. These allergen-free, gluten-free and fat-free gummies are made with natural flavors and colors from real fruits and vegetables. They’re also low in sodium. Included flavors are Alphonso Mango, Amity Raspberry, Asian Pear, Black Currant, Blood Orange, Crimson Cranberry, Fuji Apple and Queen Pineapple.
S.R.P.: 5 oz., $2.19-$2.49; 8 oz., $2.99-$3.19; 25 oz., $7.99
Best Novelty
Candy Treasure
Lebanon, N.J. / candytreasure.com / (201) 830-3600
Bearied Treasure Gummies
Bearied Treasure features a collectible toy and gummy candy packaged in character-shaped containers. Two toy collections are available: Shark Camp and Unicorns and Narwhals.
S.R.P.: $2
Check out these other products we loved!
American Foods
Methuen, Mass. / (978) 682-1855 / candybreak.com
Candy Break Tropical Tommy’s Bears
These tropical gummy bears are vegan and free of fat and preservatives. The assortment comes with four flavors: Banana, Mango, Coconut and Pineapple.
S.R.P. (4.5 oz.): $1.99
Fiorella Crunch Wafer
Featuring hazelnut paste sandwiched between crunchy wafers, this treat is covered with 100% milk chocolate.
S.R.P.: 2 for $1
American Licorice
LaPorte, Ind. / (219) 324-1400 / americanlicorice.com
Sour Punch Sweet Bites
As the Sour Punch brand’s first sweet, non-sour offering, Sweet Bites comes in four non-sour flavors: Dream Berry, Passion Punch, Grateful Grape and Cotton Candy. They’re packaged in a collection of six unique Embrace Your Punch-themed designs
S.R.P.: 9-oz. standup bag, $2.99-$3.49; 5-oz. hanging bag, $1.39-$1.69.
Sour Punch Fan Favorites Bites
The Sour Punch Fan Favorite Bites assortment features four top-requested, fan favorite flavors: Grape, Tangerine, Fruit Punch and Lemon.
S.R.P.: 9-oz. standup bag, $2.99-$3.49; 5-oz. hanging bag, $1.39-$1.69
Sour Punch Sip-N-Chew Straws
Sour Punch Sip-N-Chew Straws are sweet and sour edible drinking straws that can replace plastic straws and are available in two flavors: Blue Raspberry and Cherry. They are perfect for frozen or iced beverages.
S.R.P. (0.9 oz.) $0.89-$1.
Sour Punch Grape Straws
The Sour Punch Grape Straw is the most requested flavor on social media by brand fans, and it’s now a permanent offering in the brand portfolio.
S.R.P.: 4.5-oz. tray, $1.29-$1.79; 2-oz. tray, $0.99 -$1.39
Red Vines SuperStrings
The SuperStrings twists are pull-apart red licorice designed to be peeled, played with and eaten. Most recently only found in the Red Vines California Collection, SuperStrings will now be available in a snack-size 14-oz. package with resealable bag.
S.R.P.: $2.69-$3.49
CandyRific
Louisville, Ky. / (502) 893-3626 / candyrific.com
Baby Shark Fanimation Fans
These fans feature everyone’s favorite shark family from Pinkfong’s hit YouTube video. When the fan spins, LED lights show images of sharks. Each fan comes with 0.35 oz. of organic Jelly Belly candy.
S.R.P.: N/A
Dino Water Squirters
When the trigger is pulled, these dino-shaped squirters shoot water with a biting action. Available in green and brown options, each comes with 0.42 oz. of candy.
S.R.P.: N/A
Colts Chocolate Co.
Nashville, Tenn. / (615) 251-0100 / coltschocolates.com
Colts Bolts
Colts Bolts are Colts Chocolate’s signature and most popular item. They feature milk or dark chocolate, all natural peanut butter and whole roasted almonds.
S.R.P.: N/A
Bolt Bites
A smaller version of the Colts Bolts, Bolt Bites begin with a creamy peanut butter whipped into a mousse-like texture, then topped with a single almond before being covered in milk or dark chocolate.
S.R.P.: N/A
DealQuest, LLC
Washougal, Wa. / (360) 335-4114 / originalbagofpoo.com
The Original Bag of Poo
This brown, black cherry-flavored cotton candy is sure to delight any fan of the poo emoji. It’s also available in several other varieties: Sasquatch Poo (Brown, Black Cherry), Dinosaur Poo (Green, Green Apple), Unicorn Poo (Purple, Grape) and Mermaid Poo (Blue, Blueberry).
S.R.P. (1 oz.): $4.99-$6.99
Doscher’s Candy
Cincinnati, Ohio / (513) 381-8656 / doscherscandies.com
Candy Buttons Sours
The classic candy buttons have gotten a sour remix. Included flavors are Watermelon, Blue Raspberry and Sour Cherry.
S.R.P.: $1-$1.19
Florestal USA
Hollywood, Fla. / (305) 779-5224 / florestalusa.net
Cream Swirls
Made with real milk fat, these hard candies are available in Strawberry Shortcake, Key Lime Pie, Orange and Vanilla flavors.
S.R.P.(6.5 oz.): $1
Frankford Candy
Philadelphia, Pa. / (215) 735-5200 / frankfordcandy.com
Spongebob Squarepants Watermelon Krabby Patties
Shaped like the original Krabby Patty gummies, these watermelon-flavored gummies feature pink “buns” and green “krabby patties.” They’re available in theater boxes and peg bags.
S.R.P: $1.29-$1.49
Hilco LLC
Louisville, Ky. / 502-749-5333 / hilcousa.com
Kool-Aid Gummies
The Kool-Aid brand gummies, shaped like the Kool-Aid Man, include Tropical Punch, Cherry and Grape fruity flavors. All sour gummies are sour dusted.
S.R.P.: 4-oz. peg bags, $1.29-$1.49; 9.7-oz. gusset bags with individually wrapped pieces, $3.99.
Kool-Aid Gum
Kool-Aid chewing stick gum bursts with Tropical Punch, Cherry and Grape flavors. The gum is available in four, five-stick packages that come in a hanging peg beg.
S.R.P. (1.76 oz.): $1.49
Iconic Candy
Great Neck, N.Y. / (516) 448-5434 / iconiccandy.com
Regal Crown hard candy
Sour Apple and Sour Grape flavors are joining Sour Cherry and Sour Lemon. Imported from the UK, each roll includes seven pieces of individually-wrapped hard candy.
S.R.P.: $1-$1.19
BarNone
Relaunched in July 2019, BarNone features milk chocolate wafer filled with chocolate cream that’s covered with crushed peanuts and enrobed with milk chocolate.
S.R.P. (1.48 oz.): $1.29-$1.49
Impact Confections
Janesville, Wis. / (608) 208-1100 / impactconfections.com
Warheads Galactic Mix Cubes
These chewy cubes are coated with black sanding sugar for a look that’s out of this word. They come in Rocket Raspberry, Black Hole Cherry and Cosmic Punch flavors and are available in 4.5-oz. and 7.25-oz. peg bags.
S.R.P.: $1.59-$2.29
Warheads Ooze Chews
These bite-size pieces of filled, chewy rope come in a variety of fruity flavors. They’re available in a 3.5-oz. theater box and a 3-oz. peg bag.
S.R.P.: $1.49 - $1.59
Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy
Featuring new, intense flavor, these hard candies are sure to make any fan of sour candy pucker. They’re available in Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, Watermelon, Cherry and Lemon flavors and are packaged in a variety of sizes and formats.
S.R.P.: $1.29 - $7.99
Island Delights
Seville, Ohio / (330) 769-2800 / islanddelights.com
Coconut Haystacks
Featuring an updated packaging design, these classic coconut haystacks are available in a variety of flavors: Caramel, Cherry, Chocolate & Caramel, Chocolate, Key Lime, Lemon Drop, Maple Cream, Mocha Latte, Orange Cream, Pina Colada, Pumpkin Spice and Vanilla.
S.R.P. (5 oz.): $2.49-$2.99
Grove Harvest Drizzlers
Now certified organic and non-GMO, these real, toasted banana and coconut chips are drizzled with Italian dark chocolate and sprinkled with Mediterranean sea salt. They’re perfect for on-the-go snacking without the guilty conscience.
S.R.P. (4 oz.): $5.99
Just Born, Inc.
Bethlehem, Pa. / (610) 867-7568 / justborn.com
Peeps Froot Loops Pop
This pop includes four marshmallow Peeps chicks on a stick. Available in green, orange, red and blue, colors, these Peeps are naturally flavored.
S.R.P. (1.38 oz.): $2.19-$2.29
Hot Tamales Peeps
Inspired by another classic Just Born confection — Hot Tamales — these marshmallow Peeps chicks come in the flavor Fierce Cinnamon.
S.R.P. (10 Peeps): $1.49
Kenny’s Candy Company
Perham, Minn. / (218) 346-2340 / kennyscandy.com
Wiley Wallaby Blasted Berry
The first mixed-flavor bag in the Wiley Wallaby lineup, Blasted Berry features four flavors: Triple Berry, Huckleberry, Blueberry and Pomegranate.
S.R.P. (10 oz.): $3.99
Wiley Wallaby Sourrageous Drops
These bite-sized pieces feature a sweet licorice center and a sour candy shell. Free of fat and high fructose corn syrup, these vegan, kosher drops come in Lemon, Watermelon and Green Apple flavors.
S.R.P. (8 oz.): $3.99
Kervan USA
Whitehall, Pa. / (610) 443-2200 / kervanusa.com
Crayola Surprise Box
In addition to a pouch of Crayola gummies, this box also includes a 3-D sticker and a puzzle.
S.R.P.: $1.99
Yumy Yumy Fruit Snacks
These fruit stacks are available in four different themes: Mermaids, Sharks, Unicorns and Dinosaurs. Each box comes with six 0.7-oz. pouches.
S.R.P.: $1-$1.50
Krüger North America, Inc.
Oak Park, Ill. / (708) 851-3670 / krueger-group.com
Fritt
These chewy, fruity candies are available in 2.5-oz. packs of six strips in Strawberry, Orange and Cherry flavors. Fritt is also available in two, 4.4-oz mixed packs with mini strips: Fruity Bunch, featuring Strawberry, Orange and Cherry flavors; and Red’N’Berry Bunch, in Mixed Berry, Raspberry and Pomegranate flavors.
S.R.P. (4.4 oz.): $2.99-$3.49
Moonstruck Chocolate Co.
Portland, Ore. / (503) 247-3448 / moonstruckchocolate.com
Craft Cider Collection
Blended with the timeless fruit flavors of the Pacific Northwest in collaboration with 2 Towns Ciderhouse, the complex flavors of The Bad Apple, Made Marion and Easy Squeezy capped in delicious chocolate make a satisfying treat year-around.
S.R.P. (9 pieces): $20
Classic Collection chocolate bars
The newest additions to Moonstruck’s Classic Collection are 68% Dark Chocolate Blueberry Passion Fruit and 68% Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Chai.
S.R.P. (3 oz.): $4
New Twist Food
New York, N.Y. / (212) 235-5757 / thechocolatefix.com
Crunchmallow
Featuring dehydrated marshmallows, this crunchy snack is available in three varieties: Birthday Cake, Chocolate Drizzle and Caramel Drizzle.
S.R.P (1.5 oz.): $5.99
Not Your Sugar Mamas
Tisbury, Mass. / (413) 233-6103 / notyoursugarmamas.com
Raw chocolate bars
These USDA-certified organic bars are made with raw chocolate, meaning the beans haven’t been roasted with the goal of preserving nutrients. The range is free of refined sugar, palm oil, cane sugar, soy lecithin, emulsifiers, dairy, gluten and sugar. Available dark chocolate bars include Salted Caramel, Pure and Simple, Almond Crunch and Lavender Sea Salt. The newest bars are White Chocolate Mocha Latte and Milk Chocolate Cookies and Cream.
S.R.P. (2.2 oz.): $4.99
Praemium Chocolates Corp.
Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada / (778) 806-6390 / rosschocolates.ca
Ross Chocolates
These sugar-free chocolates are sweetened with stevia extract. They’re also free of gluten, GMOs and maltitol. Available in 1.2-oz. bars and 3-oz. pouches of thins, Ross Chocolates offers six varieties: Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate with Quinoa, Milk Chocolate Lemon Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Dark Chocolate with Hazelnut.
S.R.P.: 1.2-oz bars, $2.39-$2.49; 3-oz. pouches, $5.29-$5.99
Radz Brands
Des Moine, Iowa / (503) 227-2226 / radzworld.com
Spongebob Squarepants Foamz
Featuring Spongebob, Patrick, Squidward, and Spongebob’s pet snail Gary, these Foamz characters come with assorted candies and a clip for hanging the dispensers on backpacks, purses and more.
S.R.P.: $3.99-$4.99
Jurassic World Radz
These candy dispensers come in a variety of dinosaur types: T-Rex, Triceratops, Dilophosaurus, and Blue the Velociraptor. Packaged with assorted candies, the tongue of the dispenser pops out to reveal a piece of candy. They also include a mini poster and clips for hanging the dispensers on backpacks, purses and more.
S.R.P.: $3.99-$4.99
44 Cats Radz
From the Italian animated series 44 Cats, these Radz dispensers are available in the characters of Lampo, Milady and Meatball. Packaged with assorted candies, the tongue of the dispenser pops out to reveal a piece of candy. They also include a mini poster and clips for hanging the dispensers on backpacks, purses and more.
S.R.P.: $3.99-$4.99
Red Chocolette
Lewes, Del. / (310) 650-1401 / red-chocolate.com
Red Love
The caramel-filled, diamond-shaped pralines keep Red Chocolette’s promise of making confections that are gluten-free, non-GMO, no sugar added and with kosher ingredients. Holding 40 calories per piece and 35 percent fewer calories than other milk chocolate products, the pralines contain all natural sweeteners.
S.R.P. (12 pieces): $4.99
Redwood Ventures
Bella Vista, Ark. / (952) 758-7826 / redwood-ventures.com
Foodie Surprise Slime Egg
These surprise eggs come with slime in six tasty flavors: Blueberry, Sour Apple, Cotton Candy, Orange, Strawberry and Watermelon. They also come with mix-ins such as edible glitter, candy pieces and fizzy powder.
S.R.P.: $2.99
Yolkies
Each Yolkie features edible slime in the shape of an over-easy egg. Pull the tab and open for a realistic “egg cracking” experience. Each Yolkie contains one of 12 collectible characters for added play value.
S.R.P.: $4.99
Undercover Chocolate Co.
East Hanover, N.J. / (973) 665-8149 / undercoverchocolate.com
Dark Chocolate + Pomegranate
The Dark Chocolate + Pomegranate flavor is a guilt-free, gluten-free, nut-free snack featuring a healthy dose of crispy organic quinoa, premium dark chocolate and real pomegranate arils for a burst of flavor.
S.R.P. (2 oz.): $3.99
Holiday varieties
Undercover Chocolate Co. has developed three holiday varieties of its chocolate and quinoa snacks: Milk Chocolate + Peppermint, Dark Chocolate + Peppermint and Dark Chocolate + Pumpkin Spice.
S.R.P. (2 oz.): $3.99
Verve, Inc.
Providence, R.I. / (401) 351-6415 / gleegum.com
Glee Tarts
Packaged in a slider box, these sugar-free tarts are sweetened with xylitol. They’re available in Pineapple, Cherry, Meyer Lemon and Passionfruit flavors.
S.R.P. (0.56 oz.): $2.99
Woody Candy Co.
Oklahoma City, Okla. / (405) 842-8903 / woodycandy.com
Peanut Brittle
This hand-stretched brittle has been packed with peanuts and cooked in small batches using the same equipment since 1927. It’s available in three varieties: Peanut, Peanut and Pumpkin Seed and Peanut and Jalapeño.
S.R.P. (6 oz.): N/A
Yolo Candy
Mahwah, N.J. / (201) 252-8765 / yolocandy.com
It’s Nutty
This product comes with a 10-gram grape jelly-flavored lollipop and a 0.75-oz. container of real peanut butter for dipping. Made without artificial colors and sweeteners, each 160-calorie product contains 9 grams of sugar.
S.R.P: Individual (packed in a count goods box of 12), $1.59; 5-ct. box, $6.99
Pop-a-looza Cuglies
Cuglies combine a lollipop with a surprise assortment of the cutest, ugliest animals on the planet including the Proboscis Monkey, the Blobfish and the Mole Rat. The specially-designed handle conceals the surprise character, but it can also be used to save the lollipop for later. In addition to the regular six characters, candy fans can also collect glow-in-the-dark and color-variant figures.
S.R.P.: $2
Zolli Candy
Walled Lake, Mich. / (248) 214-7771 / zollipops.com
Zolli PB Cups
Available in milk and dark chocolate varieties, these peanut butter cups are vegetarian and certified sugar-free and gluten-free. They also carry the Sugarwise symbol, meaning their sugar-free claims have been verified. They’re available in 3.2-oz. standup pouches and as individually wrapped cups.
S.R.P. (3.2 oz.): $4.99.
