food for thought

Reputation and Community Building: Industry Recognition

Photo Credit: Naturally Boulder

With your 2024 marketing planning and smart budgeting in mind, we’re dishing up a new series of easy PR and marketing tips on our social and our blog, here. We’re sharing some often-overlooked or misunderstood basics on how to build your business with reputation- and community-building tactics, including working with the press, partnerships, events, and awards (this one!)

Today, we’re covering why you should add applying for awards to your 2024 marketing plan – and we’re including a list of important industry awards to consider below. 

Check our social next Tuesday for a #TipsTuesday on PR: “What the heck is PR anyway?!”

PART THREE: INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

With so many choices on the shelf, it can be tough to stand out from the crowd. Fortunately, there’s a secret weapon that can give your brand the spotlight it deserves – industry awards! These aren’t just fancy trophies to collect dust on your shelves, they’re powerful tools that can help you:

Establish Your Brand as an Industry Trendsetter

Consumers have many options for CPG products.  Winning an award not only validates your brand’s efforts but also positions you as a leader in your niche. This perception can significantly impact your brand’s reputation and influence consumer trust and loyalty.

Network and Grow Brand Exposure

Awards events or ceremonies provide businesses with opportunities for networking with industry professionals – potentially opening doors to key partnerships, distributors, or investors. 

Attending these events and winning some sort of recognition can offer your brand exposure to media, social media buzz, and consumer interest.

Enhance Employee Morale and Retention

Awards can also have a profound impact on your team. When your employees see their hard work and dedication acknowledged through industry awards, it boosts morale and motivation. Recognizing your employees’ efforts can help retain top talent and foster a positive company culture.

RECOMMENDED CPG AWARDS TO CONSIDER:

AWARD NAMEYEARDEADLINEENTRY PRICE
NOSH Annual “Best of” Awards2024Nov 1$149 (non-insider); $99 (insider)
Delicious Living – Best Bite Awards2025Nov 7$149 (per product entry)
Fast Company – 2025 World Changing Ideas2025Nov 15 (early-rate), Dec 6 (regular-rate)Early-Rate
Companies under 1,000 employees and academic institutions: $295
Companies over 1,000 employees: $495

Regular-Rate
Companies under 1,000 employees and academic institutions: $395
Companies over 1,000 employees: $695
International Taste Institute’s Superior Taste Award2025Autumn Evaluations
Nov 15 (food)

Spring Evaluations
Mar 7, 2025 (drinks); Apr 11, 2025 (food)
1320€/product to 1520€/product
NEXTY Awards – Expo West2025Dec 2Expo West Exhibitors: $245 for the first nomination, $195 per additional nomination

Non-Exhibitors: $345 for the first nomination, $195 per additional nomination
Good Housekeeping – Coffee + Tea Awards2025TBA – 2024 winners announced in Nov$495/product
Taste for Life – Essentials Awards: Back-to-School Essentials2025TBANO FEE 
Good Housekeeping – Best Snack Awards2025TBA$495/product
Good Food Awards2025TBA – last year’s deadline was July 5$105/product
Good Housekeeping – Sustainable Innovation Awards2025TBA – last year’s deadline was July 7$495/product
Better Homes & Gardens 2024 Modern Pantry AwardsTBDTBA if they do a 2nd annual awards entry periodNO FEE
Food Network Supermarket Awards2025TBA – last year’s deadline was summerNO FEE
Taste TV – The Healthy Gourmet Snack Awards2025TBA – last year’s deadline was October$70/product
sofi™ Awards2025TBATBA
Mindful Awards2025TBA – last year’s deadline was AprilTBA

Make sure to check out Part One and Part Two of this series on Reputation and Community Building:

Reputation and Community Building Part One: Events and Networking

Reputation and Community Building Part Two: Partnership Marketing

If you still have questions about networking and how building community can build your business, let’s connect! We love helping food and natural products brands grow their reach through reputation and community building. Let’s see what good we can do together. 

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