Around here, we make it a point to smash expectations, push for change, and explore every possible opportunity. This drive propels us to greater heights with every passing day as we continually raise the bar on food sourcing, transparency, and product quality. That’s why we’re so thankful when other people recognize our dedication to improving our industry and our world — and why we’re stoked to announce our snack strips have officially been nominated for a 2017 NEXTY Award!

This is huge news. Released earlier this year, our snack strips are the newest addition to the EPIC family and total game changers. They come in four distinct and delicious flavors: 100% Grass-Fed Wagyu Beef, Smoked Maple Salmon, Venison Sea Salt Pepper, and Turkey Cranberry Sage. These guys are lean, convenient, and the perfect on-the-go healthy snack around — exactly what we envisioned when we conceived the idea for them. Now, we’re staring a NEXTY for ‘Best new meat, dairy, or animal-based product’ straight in the eyes. And we’re ready.

For those who are new to the game, the New Hope NEXTY Awards represent the future of food. Winners of these sought-after accolades are rewarded for their inspirational, innovative, and honest products that lead the natural products industry to greater heights. We’ve been here before and taken hope the grand prize— and we’re damn proud to be back.

We’d been holding our tongue on this, but we couldn’t wait any longer. Luckily, the next batch of NEXTY winners will be announced in a few weeks at Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore. If we manage to take the grand prize home, you better believe we’re going to shout it from the mountaintops in EPIC fashion. That’s the only way we know how to celebrate.

But this is about far more than any awards or titles. In truth, our success — and our continued ability to challenge the larger food industry to improve its practices — stems from you: our consumers. Without your support and dedication, we wouldn’t be here today. We wouldn’t be on the brink of bringing home this badass award. And we sure as hell wouldn’t be driving a consumer revolution that’s demanding more from our food suppliers than ever before.

So from our wolfpack to yours, thank you. Now let’s go snag us another NEXTY!