Pick Tennessee Products Names Its Best Local Products For 2016

Nashville, TN – Six Tennessee food makers claimed winning titles at the 2016 Pick Tennessee Products tradeshow held in Nashville during the recent Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association’s Food Expo. The products, all produced in Tennessee and part of the Pick Tennessee Products program, were judged on originality, taste and packaging.

Javaneh Hemmat’s “Hummus Chick” won first place, dubbed the “Pick of Tennessee.” Hummus Chick is a Nashville based company built around freshly made varieties of hummus packaged for retail and wholesale markets.

“Food made with love tastes better when it’s shared with others,” Hemmat said. Her hummus has also been honored as a past nominee for the Martha Stewart American Made Awards.

Willa’s Shortbread, owned and operated by Eric Rion in Madison, won second place and Lynchburg Cake and Candy Company, owned by Billy and Nancy Thomas in Lynchburg, won third place.

Honorable mentions include: Susan Binkley’s Out of the Blue Granola from Monteagle; Matt Rogers’ infused honey products, RogersMade, from Chattanooga; and Maryann Byrd’s Southern Belle Biscuit Company in Nashville.

Happy Skin Naturals skin care products won a new artisan non-food product award this year. Renee Whitfield produces Happy Skin Naturals in Sevierville.

All winning products and all Pick Tennessee tradeshow exhibitors can be found on the Pick Tennessee Products website.

Pick Tennessee Products is the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s statewide program to connect Tennessee farmers, farmers markets and local food makers to consumers. It is a free service. This year marks the program’s 30th anniversary.

Pick Tennessee is available online, via mobile app, and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.