Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Smoke & Cure of Hinesburg has announced that its Hot & Spicy Turkey Stick has been named the winner in the Alternative Snacks: Meat Snacks category of the 2025 Convenience Store News Best New Product Awards. This recognition underscores the company's no-compromise approach to crafting high-quality, flavorful meat snacks that offer a protein-forward snacking option for on-the-go lifestyles.
The annual Best New Product Awards recognize innovation and excellence across convenience retail. Products are judged by a panel of consumers who evaluate entries based on six key criteria: taste, value, convenience, ingredients, packaging, and appearance.
Vermont Smoke & Cure’s Hot & Spicy Turkey Sticks stood out for delivering bold flavor and better-for-you snacking in a convenient, portable format. All Vermont Smoke & Cure products are carefully crafted for customers seeking a no-compromise snack stick that allows them to go further in their daily adventures.
"We're honored to receive this award from Convenience Store News," said Michael Schafer, Commercial Business Lead at Vermont Smoke & Cure. “As consumers' tastes evolve, we are dedicated to meet their needs - offering convenient snacks that don’t skimp on flavor. Winning this award affirms our commitment to providing quality products that deliver on both taste and nutrition."
This award comes on the heels of an expansion into Costo’s Northeast Division, as well as Walmart, Kroger, and Giant Food stores nationwide. This expansion represents the largest growth in the company’s history, and the Best New Product Awards cements Vermont Smoke & Cure as a leader in this rapidly-growing category.
“In recent Harris Poll data, 75% of consumers agree that the lack of poultry-based protein options adds time and effort to grocery shopping” says Schafer. “Our category-leading turkey snack sticks fill that key gap in the market, offering customers the lean, poultry-based protein they crave in a conveniently packaged format.”
The 2025 Best New Product Awards celebrate innovations shaping convenience store offerings. Vermont Smoke & Cure, available at convenience and grocery stores nationwide, offers nutritious, award-winning meat snacks for customers seeking convenient, better-for-you snacks.
For more information about Vermont Smoke & Cure and its award-winning products, visit vtsmokeandcure.com.
ABOUT VERMONT SMOKE & CURE
Since 1962, Vermont Smoke & Cure has been crafting smoked meats and meat snacks in their Vermont smokehouse. The one-of-a-kind meat snacks are made with meat free from antibiotics and added hormones, artificial colors, preservatives or flavors. Available nationwide at natural food stores, supermarkets, mass merchandisers, club stores, and ecommerce retailers. All products are now available online. For more information, visit vtsmokeandcure.com. To find a store near you, click HERE.
HINESBURG, VT, October 28, 2025 – Vermont Smoke & Cure
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