The best new products of Expo West shouldn’t just be cool or taste delicious – they should be innovative, and should make the world a better place to live.
One of our favorite things about Expo West (besides all the delicious samples!) is getting to try all the new products that are launched here. The Best New Product winners were announced this morning (congratulations to all of you!), but we felt that there were some products that deserved a special mention.
To us, best new products of Expo West shouldn’t just be cool or taste delicious — they should be innovative, and should make the world a better place to live. That’s what the natural and eco-friendly industry is all about (and it’s why we love it!).
In case you’re wondering, Ragbags is technically a new product, but we know better than to list ourselves. However, if you want to learn more about us, we’ll just leave this here.
Without further ado, here’s our picks!
Make a Stand Lemonade
We are so excited, and so so inspired, to see a company like Make a Stand become so successful. Not only does 5% of every sale go towards ending child slavery, but the founder is a charming, entrepreneurial 10-year-old girl.
You are invited to #StandwithMe at #ExpoWest at the Make a Stand Booth ~ 6520. pic.twitter.com/w9rZ56UCIz
— Make A Stand (@makeastandinc) March 9, 2014
Yes, that’s right. Founder Vivienne Harr started out just like any other kid with a lemonade stand, except the profits from hers went to carefully vetted organizations that work to end child slavery.
Of over 2,000 products, Make a Stand was nominated for #expowest's "Next Big Thing" – pic.twitter.com/vq15XoeRcV
— vivienne harr (@vivienneharr) March 9, 2014
Her goal is to end child slavery by the time she’s 20 (!!) and we want to help her get there. For more information about Vivienne, click here.
Restore
More and more, we’re learning that our overall health starts in our gut — David Perlmutter‘s keynote was about just that, and Mark Bittman also touched on the topic. That’s why we want to recognize Restore.
Restore is a new plant-derived supplement that helps the good kind of gut bacteria flourish, which could be a really big deal for people with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
The founders of RESTORE accepting #NextyAward at #ExpoWest. Congrats guys! @DrZachBush #glutenfree @TightJunctions pic.twitter.com/W2qZh4VZGu
— Restore4Life (@Restore4Life) March 6, 2015
Right now, the only real way to combat gluten intolerance or Celiac disease is to avoid gluten altogether. Which isn’t always easy. And that’s why we’re so excited to see a product that helps solve this problem for so many people, and helps us all bring balance to our intestines!
Exo Protein
This is one new product that made many Expo-goers look twice! Exo Protein bars are made with — wait for it — cricket flour. Yes, that’s right. These bars are made of bugs.
Baby's first cricket bar. Thanks, @exo_protein! #ExpoWest pic.twitter.com/DThyC6I9Pc
— Caroline Praderio (@c_praderio) March 6, 2015
Why bugs? For one, they’re nutritious. Crickets have about 12.9 grams of protein per 100 grams, which is nearly twice the protein in an egg. Also, they’re inexpensive, and much more sustainable than animal meat. Because of this, many researchers believe insects will be the best way to feed the world’s population as it creeps into the billions.
You heard it here 1st: Crickets are the new kale (tasty too!) Sustainable, nutritious @exo_protein bars at #ExpoWest pic.twitter.com/pX7Hy7TIoo
— Jeanne Fratello (@JollyTomato) March 6, 2015
If you want to be part of the future of food, stop by Exo’s booth and try one of their cricket bars! We promise you won’t regret it.
So there you have it! We hope you enjoy the rest of #ExpoWest, and please stop by booth 5757 to get a free Ragbag and see what we’re doing to help make the world a better place.
