Naturally
New York, which fosters connections among New York area entrepreneurs,
leaders, and investors within the natural products industry, has announced
details for its upcoming Naturally Rising pitch competition
as well as key opportunities for Naturally NY throughout 2025, building on the
organization’s momentum from a successful 2024.
Naturally Rising: Showcasing Purpose-Driven Brands
Naturally Rising, the premier national CPG pitch event, continues the
decade-long tradition of celebrating innovation and the future of
better-for-you brands. This competition emphasizes retail readiness and
Naturally Network’s Quintuple Bottom Line:
- Passion
– Founder dedication to product and mission - Purpose
– Company mission and issue-specific impact - People
– Commitment to community and team dynamics - Planet
– Focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility - Prosperity
– Financial viability while maintaining ethical practices
On Tuesday, May 6 at 5:30 pm, five finalists will compete for a
$100,000 prize package in cash and services. The event is honored to welcome
Carlotta Mast (Informa) as the Master of Ceremonies, joined by an all-staff
judging panel including representatives from key industry retailers and
distributors such as Whole Foods Market, Fairway Market, FreshDirect, Dora’s
Naturals, and Rainforest Distribution, among others. The Grand Prize winner
will also receive a coveted booth at Newtopia Now and fast-track entry into
Naturally Network’s national competition.
Meet the Finalists:
- Aunt Ethel’s Pot
Pies:
This Brooklyn-based, female-owned company reimagines America’s favorite
comfort food with rich flavors and buttery croissant puff pastry, using a
30+ year-old family recipe. - Loopini: Creating high-protein,
healthy pizzas using superfood ingredients like lupini beans, Loopini
transforms pizza into a nutritious meal without compromising authentic
taste. - Paktli Foods: Named from the Nahuatl
word for “joy,” founder Seena Chriti recreates her childhood
snack from Mexico using organic ingredients including puffed amaranth,
quinoa, millet, chocolate, and whole dried fruits and nuts. - The Lucky Ox: Honoring Southeast
Asian-American culture and hardworking immigrants, this beverage brand
offers authentic storytelling and serves as a cultural gateway to
Southeast Asian flavors beyond mainstream experiences. - Wild
Orchard:
This single-origin, single-estate 1,000-acre farm on Jeju Island, South
Korea, grows tea trees from seed in mineral-rich volcanic soil, creating
an unparalleled depth of flavor in every cup.
Following the pitch event, attendees will enjoy a networking
reception with complimentary food, beverages, spirits, and sample products from
the finalists. Special thanks to partners AON, BeyondBrands, BeyondCPG, Foster
Garvey, SG Credit Partners, Propeller Industries, Fairfield Partners, New Hope
Network, NIQ, Konnect Agency, Kerry, Specialty Food Association, JPG Resources,
The Lead Summit, BevNET and NOSH. Registration is now open.
Summer Fancy Food Show Participation
Naturally New York will also participate in the Summer Fancy Food Show (June
29-May 1, Jacob Javits Center), featuring a dedicated pavilion featuring over
50 brands. This event, attracting over 7,000 industry professionals, offers
members valuable opportunities to expand networks and showcase brands.
Participating brands will be announced in the coming weeks.
Building on a Foundation of Success
The organization’s forward momentum is built on a strong 2024, during which
Naturally NY hosted 59 events for over 6,000 attendees, collaborated with 105
partners to deliver 124 hours of programming, and supported seven industry
trade shows. Program highlights included Whipnotic winning the Pitch Slam Grand
Prize ($125,000 value) and Jack & Friends securing the Audience Choice
Award ($50,000 prize). The Holiday Bazaar featured the organization’s first
shoppable marketplace with over 40 natural brand members and 28 additional
contributors. 2025 has already been off to a strong start with Date
Smarter taking home the $10,000 prize as
‘The Next Fairway Find’ in February in collaboration with Fairway Market.
To further strengthen its impact, Naturally New York welcomes five
new members to its Board of Directors and Advisory Board: Andy Reichgut (CEO,
Dr. Praegers), Matt Rosen (Senior Associate, Continental Grain), Nate Rosen
(Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Express Checkout), Loan Heilner (Director of
Merchandising, FreshDirect), and Nicole Centeno (Founder & Co-CEO, Splendid
Spoon).
About Naturally New York
Naturally New York (NNY) is a distinguished 501(c)(6) trade
association that was established in 2021 with a singular objective: to foster
connections among New York area entrepreneurs, leaders, investors, and service
providers within the thriving natural products community. NNY’s mission is to
harness, accelerate, and elevate the power and impact of conscious business
practices in the natural, organic, and sustainable products ecosystem. Through
community-based programming, networking opportunities, influential advocacy,
and collaborative endeavors, NNY unites and engages a diverse range of brands,
investors, and service providers, from promising start-ups to established
Fortune 500 companies. Together, NNY shapes a more equitable, prosperous, and
healthier world. Join NNY to forge a transformative path towards a future where
purpose-driven businesses thrive. Stay connected with NNY on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn,
TikTok and Twitter.
