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Goodson Pecans team wins top prize in Flavor of Georgia Contest

by UGA press release


Posted on Apr 04, 2018 at 0:00 AM


Lee County Farm Bureau members David and Melody Goodson, co-owners of Goodson Pecans of Leesburg, claimed the grand prize at University of Georgia’s 2018 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest with the Goodson Pecans Honey Cinnamon Pecan Butter.

The annual contest, conducted by the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, is a chance for food businesses to showcase their new products. A team of food industry experts and grocery buyers chose Goodson Pecans Honey Cinnamon Pecan Butter as the best of 33 finalists. They rated the products on qualities including innovation, use of Georgia theme, market potential and flavor.

In addition to the grand prize, Goodson Pecans also won first place in the miscellaneous category.

Gov. Nathan Deal, Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean and Director Sam Pardue congratulated the category and grand prize winners during Flavor of Georgia Day, part of Georgia Agriculture Awareness Week at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta.

For more information about Goodson Pecans, visit www.goodsonpecans.com.  

The winners in the other categories: Finalists’ Choice Award and Honey Category - H.L. Franklin’s Healthy Honey Creamed Healthy, H.L. Franklin’s Healthy Honey, Statesboro; Barbecue Sauces - Lane’s BBQ Sorta White BBQ Sauce, Lane’s BBQ, Bethlehem; Beverages - Olympus Greek Mountain Blueberry Citrus Tea, Olympus Greek Mountain Teas, Lawrenceville; Confections: Brown Butter Crunch Gelato, Honeysuckle Gelato, Atlanta; Dairy Products - New World Chocolate Milk, Rock House Creamery, Newborn; Jams and Jellies - Wild Elderberry Pepper Jelly, Fairywood Thicket Farm, Fairburn; Meat and Seafood - Applewood Smoked Bacon, Pine Street Market, Avondale Estates; Condiments and Salsas - Sourwood Balsamic Vinegar, Built by Bees, Atlanta; Sauces and Seasonings - Cajeta, Bootleg Farm, LLC, Springfield; and Snack Foods - Sugar and Spice Cashews, High Cotton Company, Sandy Springs

Showcase events like the 2018 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest help entrepreneurs spread the word about their products. Many participants have landed spots in regional and national grocery chains like Whole Foods, Ingles, Fresh Market, Earth Fare, Kroger and Harvey’s.

Category winners received an award and membership in the state Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown program, statewide notoriety and bragging rights. All winners and finalists earn the right to have their products stamped with the 2018 Flavor of Georgia logo. They also gain exposure to grocery buyers and food industry professionals who judge the final round of the contest.

For more information about the contest, visit www.flavorofga.com or follow @FlavorofGA on Twitter and Instagram.


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