WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.V. — Skippy P.B. Bites and Nando's Peri-Peri sauce were honored with the 2017 CPG Awards for Innovation and Creativity from the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
The awards were presented at the G.M.A. Leadership Forum at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs. Also during the annual meeting, the G.M.A. Hall of Achievement Award was presented to Kendall J. Powell, who retired earlier this year as president and chief executive officer of General Mills, Inc., and Robert A. Mariano, the former chairman, president and c.e.o. of Roundy’s Supermarkets.
Skippy has been a brand of Hormel Foods Corp. since January 2013, and P.B. Bites were launched in 2015, developed in response to a management challenge to develop a peanut butter product that does not require a jar. P.B. Bites established a new category of peanut butter snacks, and the initial varieties — pretzel and double peanut butter — enjoyed sales exceeding Hormel expectations, the G.M.A. said.
“The Skippy P.B. Bites successful launch aligned with one of the company’s key growth pillars — solving for the on-the-go eating occasion — and has set up the company for further growth in the snacking business, with the addition of granola and graham cracker options,” the G.M.A. added.
Scott Aakre, vice-president of consumer insights and corporate innovation at Hormel, said P.B. Bites exemplify Hormel’s commitment to seek “food solutions that reimagine convenience, give consideration to personalized nutrition and respond to consumers’ demands for food adventure.”
Peri-Peri sauce is a signature product at Nando’s restaurants. The company operates thousands of restaurants in 26 markets across the world – including Chicago and Washington D.C. in the U.S. — but sought to introduce its sauce, a southern African blend of chilies, garlic, sun-ripened lemon, fresh herbs, and spices, in cities where it did not have restaurants
“(Nando's) chose Atlanta for a test market and used a combination of targeted sampling, strategic seeding, influencer gifting, and a series of pop‐up experiences to gain widespread social media sharing and earned media coverage that was supplemented by a trade marketing program,” the G.M.A. said.
The winners of the CPG Awards for Innovation and Creativity are selected each year by the G.M.A. advisory council. Criteria include creativity and a willingness to take risks, resulting in measurable results and significant impact on the industry.
Mr. Powell was credited by the G.M.A. with helping spearhead the organization’s response to ballot measures requiring labeling of bioengineered products. The effort resulted in passage of the Biotech Labeling Solutions Act.
“Ken Powell’s leadership at General Mills has been marked by listening to consumers, driving innovation and committing to a sustainable future for the world around us,” said Pamela G. Bailey, president and c.e.o. of the G.M.A. “He brought that same steadiness and sensible leadership to his role as chairman of the G.M.A. board of directors. Bob Mariano’s 50-year career in the grocery industry earned him a reputation as the consummate merchant, someone with an uncanny ability to listen to and understand his shoppers. We are honored to present them with G.M.A.’s Hall of Achievement Award.”
