Special to the Gwinnett Daily Post

March 17, 2010           

Writer: April Sorrow 706-542-9724 aprilr@uga.edu

Source: Sharon Kane 706-542-9809 (spkane@uga.edu); Susan Cordell 404-625-9001 (summer@goodnessgraciousgranola.com)

Lawrenceville resident wins Flavor of Georgia food contest

Ingredients like pecan halves, whole cashews and organic raisins elevated Goodness Gracious! Granola above the competition.  The company won first-place for You Struck Gold at the 2010 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest.  Winners were announced by Gov. Sonny Perdue on March 16 as part of Georgia Agriculture Awareness Day.

Susan Cordell presented the product at the annual Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest as one of four finalists in the snack foods category. Goodness Gracious! Granola won the snack foods category with the wholesome, hearty flavor of You Struck Gold. The Lawrenceville-based business makes hand-blended baked granola spiked with pecans and sweetened with local honey and sorghum.

The annual contest, conducted by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, was held at the Georgia Freight Depot in downtown Atlanta. Winners were selected in seven categories.

The top prize, Grand Champion, was awarded to Savannah Bee Company’s Grill Honey.

You Struck Gold is one of six blends offered by the granola company, all are made using 60 to 80 percent organic ingredients. Sold in local markets and health food stores, Cordell hopes to increase her sales.

“We are trying to get into Whole Foods Market,” she said.

Goodness Gracious! Granola You Struck Gold was one of 24 products sampled and judged by a panel of food brokers, buyers and other food industry experts. Contestants were awarded points based on flavor, Georgia theme, unique or innovative qualities, commercial appeal and originality. Finalists were chosen from 79 entries from all across Georgia.

“We try to include every major state commodity to get a broad representation,” said Jim Daniels, contest organizer and a UGA CAED food business development specialist. This year’s final products included poultry, peanuts and blueberry juice as well as olives, goat cheese and shrimp.

Judges indicated it was the best competition so far by marking the highest scores ever received. They were also the closest. Three or four points separated first from fourth in several categories. “Without a doubt, this is the best group we’ve ever had,” Daniels said.

Other category winners were:

§         Confections - Ricky Vining of Lane Southern Orchards won with Lane’s Fresh Peach Bread.

§         Jams, jellies and sauces - Vicki Waddell-Forton and Larry Eisenberg of Olive Affairs won with Olive Tapenade.

§         Barbecue and hot sauces – Ted Dennard of Savannah Bee Company won with Grill Honey.

§         Other products - Douglas Horn of Vidalia Valley won with Organic Vidalia Onion Tomato Basil Dressing.

§         Dairy - Cathy Spivey and Robin Schick of CalyRoad Creamery won with Clouds of CalyRoad Camembert.

Winners earn the right to have their products stamped with the 2010 Flavor of Georgia logo.

Food processing is the single largest part of the manufacturing sector of the state,” said John McKissick, director of the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development. “The importance of this industry is continuing to grow.”

“We gave out awards, but that’s not the point. The contest was designed as a way to develop food entrepreneurs and showcase their products,” McKissick said. “We provide education and applied research together to develop and grow their business. All contestants receive feedback from food industry leaders on packaging, ingredients and taste. And they have an opportunity to meet people who can help them grow their business.”

Flavor of Georgia is only a starting point for many of the category winners, said Sharon Kane, contest organizer. She followed up with the 2009 winners and found that nearly 80 percent experienced increased interest in their products as a result of the contest. Also, 50 percent saw an increase in the publicity for their products.

The annual food contest is sponsored by the CAED in partnership with the Governor’s Agricultural Advisory Commission, Georgia Agribusiness Council and UGA Department of Food Science and Technology.

:: RAVE REVIEWS ::

 I've had the good fortune to try several of your granolas and find that "Cherry Amour" is just about perfect to my taste. I'm using it with yogurt, a super topping for morning oatmeal, and also for snacks between meals. Your product is the best I've found -- keep up the good work! ~ W. Thompson, Atlanta

"This granola is so good I've shipped it halfway around the world! I'm lucky enough to live where it is made and have access to it all the time, but I have a friend working in Zambia and Goodness Gracious Granola is now a staple in her monthly care package. It stays fresh for several weeks, so it is as delicious when it arrives in Zambia as it was when it left Atlanta. All four flavors are distinct and fabulous. Great in yogurt or enjoyed by the handful, this granola hits the spot every time." ~Susan, Decatur

Summer's mixtures of oats, nuts, fruits and spices will leave your mouth zinging with flavor!  A healthy granola that I enjoy with my shredded wheat for breakfast, over my yogurt and ice cream, and as a "on the go" snack that I can take with me anywhere.  Goodness Gracious Granola is sure to please the palate and have you definitely wanting more!  Great as a gift too, so keep your friends in mind so when they thank you for it they'll say, "Goodness Gracious, this is some good Granola!"

Your granola is essential to our diets!  We do enjoy it every day.  I liked the glass jar- very attractive! ~Jane