Stonyfield Wins "Best New Concept" at World Dairy Innovation Awards

LONDONDERRY, N.H., June 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Stonyfield, the world's leading organic yogurt maker, in collaboration with Cambridge-based WikiFoods, Inc. received three prestigious awards at the 2014 World Dairy Innovation Awards for its new product, Stonyfield Frozen Yogurt Pearls.

The awards were announced on June 18^th at a gala event during the 9th Global Diary Congress in Istanbul, Turkey. The Stonyfield and WikiFoods collaboration received awards for:

• Best Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt
• Best Dairy Packaging Innovation
• Best Overall Concept

The award ceremony, organized by FoodBev Media, celebrates excellence and innovation across every category of the global dairy industry. Those categories range from Best Cheese and Best Yogurt, to Best Dairy Drink and Best Functional Dairy Product; plus categories including brands, ingredients, packaging, design, manufacturing and processing, and sustainability.

The judging panel considered entries from 30 countries in 18 categories. Judges commented that these innovative and delicious treats were:

• "Ahead of its time! An innovative process and on-trend with natural and environmental credentials"
• "Close to the Holy Grail of no packaging at all…Edible packaging has arrived."
• "What packaging? There is no packaging! Now that's real innovation!"

"Thirty years ago, we set out to make Stonyfield a truly sustainable business, and ever since, we've led the way with innovations to reduce packaging," said Stonyfield co-founder and Chairman, Gary Hirshberg. "We're honored to accept this esteemed award that celebrates a product at the heart of our mission. Hopefully, this is just the beginning for sustainability breakthroughs in dairy and beyond."

"WikiFoods is delighted and honored that our collaboration with Stonyfield has been recognized by the World Dairy Innovation Awards," said Dr. David Edwards, founder of WikiFoods.  "Accolades like these not only catalyze more innovation in the food and beverage category, they also fuel our team to create a wide range of new and exciting WikiPearl products so everyone can have a taste of the future.   We are proud to help Stonyfield make a giant leap towards realizing their dream of creating a truly sustainable packaging."  

About Stonyfield Frozen Yogurt Pearls

Stonyfield Frozen Yogurt Pearls are scoops of Stonyfield organic frozen yogurt enveloped in scrumptious, all natural, edible skins – like the skin of a grape – that are hand-held, fun and portion- controlled.  They leverage an innovative technology that is inspired by the way nature packages fruits and vegetables.  The Pearls' skins are made from organic fruit using the patent pending WikiPearl™ technology developed by Harvard Professor and WikiFoods founder, Dr. David Edwards. By harnessing the natural electrostatic interactions between the skin's ingredients (fruit, natural ions) the skin protects the frozen yogurt. The frozen yogurt can be washed, carried and handled without being damaged, creating new possibilities for on-the-go snacking. 

Currently Stonyfield Frozen Yogurt Pearls can be found exclusively at Whole Foods Market Fresh Pond (Cambridge), River Street (Cambridge), Charles River Plaza in Boston, and the new Lynnfield store where Stonyfield brand ambassadors will also be on hand giving shoppers a free taste of the future. 

The launch has been so successful that Stonyfield is actively expanding availability of the product across several regions and supermarkets to bring these unique and sublime treats to more frozen yogurt lovers in time for summer.

About Stonyfield
As the leading organic yogurt maker, we obsess over everything we put into our yogurts and everything we keep out. By saying no to toxic persistent pesticides, artificial hormones, antibiotics and GMOs, Stonyfield has been saying yes to delicious, healthy food for more than 30 years. And we're no less obsessed with our planet's health. To bring more sustainability to the marketplace, we're always looking for more innovative ways to do business. For more information visit www.Stonyfield.com. 

About Wiki Foods Inc. 
WikiFoods, Inc. a division of Quantum Designs LLC. is reinventing packaging by developing plastic-free and edible food & beverage packaging solutions inspired by the way nature packages fruits and vegetables. Founded in 2012 by Harvard professor Dr. David Edwards, WikiFoods is based in Cambridge, MA, and led by CEO, Greg Horn, one of the nation's leading innovators in sustainable business. Experience a revolution in nutrition today at www.wikipearl.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140623/120630

SOURCE Stonyfield Farm