This weekend’s 37th annual Natural Products Expo West was a busy weekend for those in the natural foods industry, and pivotal for probiotic-rich food and beverage company Farmhouse Culture. Coming off the heels of a $6.5 million investment led by 301 INC, the new business development and venturing unit at General Mills, the company had multiple wins for its newest innovative product introductions – two NEXTY awards and one NutrAward.

An unprecedented feat, Farmhouse Culture was awarded with not one, but two NEXTY Awards – Best New Organic Food for its new Fermented Vegetables line, and Best New Snack for its Kraut Krisps. Winners were selected out of dozens of finalists by a panel of industry experts put together by New Hope Network, the group that produces Natural Products Expos West and East. NEXTYs are reserved for new products that display the utmost in innovation, integrity and inspiration and help forward the work of the natural products industry to deliver more healthful, trusted and sustainable products to consumers.

Additionally, the company received a NutrAward for its Kraut Krisps – a line of tortilla chip-like snacks made using 50 percent kraut and seasoned with probiotic-infused flavors like Dill Pickle, Zesty Garden Veggie and Sea Salt. Similar to the NEXTYs, winners are selected based on a weighted vote from the selection committee consisting of a panel of industry experts, scientists and nutritionists with the addition of votes from Natural Products Expo West show attendees. Its first jump into the ultra-competitive snack category, Kraut Krisps were chosen among competing finalists as Best New Finished Product, measured by factors like product viability, creativity, health application and more.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that a healthy gut, teaming with good bacteria, is vital to achieving all around health – mind, body and soul,” says John Tucker, Farmhouse Culture CEO. “These wins for our most recent new product introductions, on top of the recent investment from 301 INC, serve as terrific validation that we’re on the right path towards bringing great tasting, approachable, probiotic-rich foods to a wider range of consumers. We’re both honored and humbled by the recognition from our industry for our continued innovation.”