WASHINGTON – Ahead of the 2021 Sweets & Snacks Expo, the nomination process is now open for the Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation, an honor given annually to a National Confectioners Association supplier member company for advancing the confectionery industry through breakthrough innovation. The award is named after its first recipient, Barry Callebaut, for its creation of Ruby chocolate.
“Supplier innovation is vital to the success of the confectionery industry,” John Downs, NCA president and CEO, said. “As we look ahead to the future, we know that innovations in equipment, ingredients, packaging, services and supplies will be critical to our industry’s ability to manufacture, distribute and market chocolate and candy, and to meet our consumers where they want to be met. We are thrilled to present this award in recognition of these efforts.”
Eligible innovations must have debuted in 2019 or 2020 and not have been developed for use by a single company. The recipients of the Ruby Award are selected by a panel of representatives from leading chocolate and candy companies. Past winners are Barry Callebaut for Ruby Chocolate and Cascades for their Northbox packaging innovation.
Nominations for the 2021 Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation can be submitted here. Nominations for all NCA supplier member companies are welcome, regardless of input or service supplied. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged, and all nominations are due by April 23, 2021.
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About Sweets & Snacks Expo
The Sweets & Snacks Expo is the premier event for the confectionery and snack industries. Featuring new product launches, business-building solutions and merchandising innovations, this annual trade show brings together qualified candy and snack retail professionals and company representatives who showcase the latest in candy and snack products. The event is sponsored by the National Confectioners Association. Learn more at SweetsAndSnacks.com.
About the National Confectioners Association (NCA):
The National Confectioners Association is the leading trade organization for the U.S. confectionery industry, which generates $42 billion in retail sales each year. NCA advocates for an environment that enables candy makers to thrive and works to ensure that chocolate, candy, gum and mints are celebrated for their contributions to culture, society, the economy and everyday moments of joy. The industry employs nearly 58,000 workers in more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities across all 50 states and supports an additional 635,000 jobs in related fields. The U.S. confectionery industry has made a commitment to increasing transparency, providing more portion guidance options and educating consumers about the role of confectionery in a happy, balanced lifestyle. Learn more at CandyUSA.com or follow NCA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
