Pecan Nation Earns 2022 Most Innovative New Product Award from the National Confectioners Association; Nick Quast Shares
FORT VALLEY, GA - I can, we can, for pecans! Pecans are contributing to the $5.1 billion snacking nuts category, and Pecan Nation is one major contributor. Recently, the company won the prestigious 2022 Most Innovative New Product Award from the National Confectioners Association (NCA) for its Cinnamon Roasted Pecans.
“We were up against some serious competition, including from some global snacking conglomerates, so this is really quite an honor,” said Nick Quast, Vice President of Sales. “Consumers are gravitating to healthier snacks, and our full line of conveniently-packaged, healthy snacking pecans has proven to be a big year-round seller, especially throughout the South and Southeast.”
The vertically integrated company grows, shells, flavors, and packages pecans grown on over 7,000 acres in the fertile, red clay soil of Central Georgia. Founded by fifth-generation peach and pecan family farmers, the company annually harvests over 30 million pounds of pecans.
According to the release, pecans are the only nut native to North America, and some trees in Pecan Nation’s orchards were planted over 75 years ago, which provides a great story for consumers who are interested in where their food comes from.
In addition to the award-winning Cinnamon flavor, Pecan Nation pecans are currently available in Sneaky Heat, Gingerbread, Maple Crumbles, Roasted & Salted, and Natural—with more flavors under development.
“Pecans are perfectly positioned for the confluence of consumer taste and nostalgia, but our biggest innovations, and what has made us the category leader, are the convenient, 4 oz ‘Grab N’ Go’ packages, combined with our proprietary flavoring process,” said Quast. “Some other flavored nuts are more super-sweet, hard candy with a nut center. Pecan Nation pecans provide just enough sweet or savory flavor to satisfy any craving, while still allowing the rich taste of the pecans to shine through.”
Currently available in over 2,500 retail grocery stores, Pecan Nation can be found in Kroger, Walmart, Southeastern Grocers, Food City, and Ingles to name a few. The convenient packaging also makes it a great grab-and-go item in convenience and hardware channels.
Find more about this award-winning product here.
Check back in with ANUK as we continue to report.
