Pioneer Awards 2026
The nominees for our 2026 Pioneer Awards are in, and voting is now open!
Quick housekeeping note first — we won't be hosting Fall Fest in person this year, and if you already grabbed a ticket, a refund is being processed. That shift isn’t slowing down the part everyone looks forward to most: celebrating the brands, founders, and teams pushing this industry forward. So we're taking our NNE Pioneer Awards straight to you, right here (and on social 👋).
For many of the brands below, this is the first time they're finding out they've been nominated — so if you spot a familiar name (or your own!), give them a shoutout when you share this.
🏆 Brand of the Year — by state
Connecticut: Tea Jams, Purple Drop, WildBoard Snacks, Goodsam, Jovial
Maine: Buckwheat Tea Company, Coast of Maine Organic Products, Maine Sauce and Provisions, Raye's Mustard, Singing Pastures, Tootie's Tempeh, Bela Seafood, The Good Crust, Little Lad's
Massachusetts: Fancy Pants, Kay's Curries, Jim's Organic Coffee
New Hampshire: W.S. Badger Company, Ben's Maple, Shire's, Popzup, The Spicy Shark
Rhode Island: Downeast Coffee Roasters, Big Picture Foods, Backyard Food Company, Dave's Coffee, Seven Stars Bakery
Vermont: Lake Champlain Chocolates, Shrubbly LLC, Vermont Smoke & Cure, Everlasting Herb Farm, Rhino Foods, Vermont Nut Free, Cabot Cheese, Vermont Creamery
⭐ Rising Star Award: Aahana's Naturals (MA), Jaju Pierogi (MA), Ozioli's Italian Cookie Co. (MA), Green Line Apothecary (RI), Wagging Dog Bakery (NH), Big Picture Farm (VT)
💡 Innovator of the Year: American Vinegar Works (MA), Sleet Pops (NH)
🌱 Sustainability Trailblazer Award: New City Microcreamery (MA), Unrefined Foods Company (MA), Maine Sea Greens (RI), Rare Breed Coffee (NH), Maine Grains (ME)
👇 MEMORY LANE 👇
Congratulations to
Our 2025 Pioneer Award Winners!
We had a wonderful Fall Festival! The weather was perfect for a fun celebration of our region’s thriving CPG community.
Our feature event of the day was our first-ever CPG Pioneer Honors, recognizing brands and individuals leading the way in innovation, sustainability, and community impact.
Here are the winners:
🍦 OG Pioneer
Ben Cohen, Co-Founder of Ben & Jerry’s
For inspiring generations of entrepreneurs to build businesses with both purpose and profit.
🏅Conscious CPG Catalyst
Holly Long, Director of Community Engagement, Specialty Food Association
Champion for emerging brands and longtime Naturally New England board member, Holly has spent her career building bridges and opportunities across the specialty food industry.
🍪 New England’s Rising Star
Josephine’s Baking Co.
Lydda “Mimi” Gonzalez & Andrea Uribe, a mother-daughter team redefining gluten-free baking with clean ingredients and heart.
🌳 Innovator of the Year
Tree House Brewing
Honored for visionary leadership and innovation in craft brewing.
🍻Brand of the Year, Connecticut
Athletic Brewing Company
Reimagining what great beer can be without the alcohol.
🍺 Brand of the Year, Maine
Orange Bike Brewing Company
Portland’s first dedicated gluten-free brewery, pioneering inclusive, sustainable, and purpose-driven brewing.
🥗 Brand of the Year, Massachusetts & Sustainability Trailblazer
Little Leaf Farms
Bringing fresh, locally grown baby greens to New England tables year-round with state-of-the-art sustainable farming.
🥛 Brand of the Year, New Hampshire
Stonyfield Organic
Leading the charge for organic, sustainable dairy and the farmers who make it possible
🥬 Brand of the Year, Rhode Island
Gotham Greens
Transforming the future of food with hydroponic greenhouses that use 90% less water and 97% less land while delivering fresh greens year-round.
🥖 Brand of the Year, Vermont
King Arthur Baking Company
America’s oldest flour company, 100% employee-owned, and a Certified B Corp dedicated to education, quality, and community.