Three confectioners honored as 2016 Buyer’s Choice Award winners during August ECRM event

Retail buyers vote for new chocolate, non-chocolate, novelty products.

ECRM hosted its annual Candy Planning: Everyday & Summer Seasonal event Aug. 28-31 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, La.

No Everyday & Summer Seasonal event would be complete without the Buyer’s Choice Awards, sponsored by Candy Industry Magazine and ECRM. Participating candy companies submitted new products for retail buyers to taste. The buyers also voted for their favorite in each of three categories: Chocolate, Non-Chocolate and Novelty.

Candy Industry would like to extend its congratulations to all the winners. A look at the winning companies and products appears below.

Best New Chocolate

Big Little Fudge

Montgomery, Texas / (888) 543-8343

Littlers*

Big Little Fudge is made in small batches, but it packs big cocoa flavor. The individually wrapped, gluten-free Littlers* were created to offer the option to choose ‘BIG’ or ‘little’ portions. As noted on the wrapper, Littlers* are “for fudgin’…just a little.”

S.R.P.: (4.5 oz. bag) $4.99

Best New Non-Chocolate

Anastasia Confections, Inc.

Orlando, Fla. / (800) 329-7100

Coconut Cashew Crunch

Coconut Cashew Crunch started with a recipe from Hoffman’s Chocolate retail chain in Florida, a sister division of Anastasia's parent company, BBX Sweet Holdings. It has been updated for a nationwide launch. This addictive, tropical-inspired treat is made in copper kettles with simple ingredients: shredded coconut, premium cashews, butter, brown sugar and a hint of sea salt.

S.R.P.: (6-oz. bag) $4.49-4.99

Best New Novelty

Bazooka Candy Brands

New York, N.Y. / (212) 376-0300

Juicy Drop Gum

The newest addition to Bazooka’s Juicy Drop line, Juicy Drop Gum provides long-lasting flavor in a unique way. Its design includes sour gel that can be used to continually boost and extend flavor. Fans can also create their perfect mix of sweet bubblegum and sour gel for a 2-in-1 flavor experience. Juicy Drop Gum comes in four flavors: Knock-Out Punch, Blue Rebel, Apple Attack and Watermelon Blast.

S.R.P.: N/A

Alyse Thompson has held many positions with BNP Media, first serving as an intern at Candy Industry Magazine in summer 2012. She joined Candy Industry's staff full time as associate editor in August 2016 after a few years at newspapers in West-Central Illinois, becoming managing editor in March 2019. Alyse has also served as managing editor of Cannabis Products Magazine since March 2019. She has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from Western Illinois University.