SAN ANTONIO, TX - Texas-based suppliers have an exclusive opportunity to take advantage of.
H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best is officially underway with expanded categories to boot. Entries opened up on February 24 and will run through April 7. Qualified participants will compete for a combined $70,000 in cash prizes and the opportunity to feature their product on H-E-B shelves across the state.
“Through Quest, we have the opportunity to connect with even more Texas-based innovators each year, which helps us further curate rich and robust offerings for customers,” said James Harris, Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Supplier Diversity. “While we were unable to formally hold the competition in 2020, we still found a number of excellent companies. We look forward [to] expanding that list with the 2021 competition.”
Since launching the contest in 2014, H-E-B has reviewed more than 4,500 samples of the most creative and mouthwatering Texas-made food and beverages, deemed more than 750 unique products worthy of shelf placement, and awarded nearly $1 million in prize money, marketing, supplemental support, and mentoring, according to a press release. Interested suppliers and manufacturers can submit details about their products here for consideration.
After the Call for Entries period is complete, H-E-B’s Business Development Managers will select the top 20 applicants, who will present their products before a panel of judges selected by H-E-B on August 24- 26, 2021 at the San Antonio Food Bank. The panel of judges will determine the top four winning products and award $25,000 to the Grand Prize winner, the title of “Texas Best” and placement on store shelves; $20,000 to the first-place winner; $15,000 to the second-place winner; and $10,000 to the third place winner.
Eligible products must not be available at any other large chain or retailer, and the vendors must be willing to sell exclusively to H-E-B. Additionally, Texas-based suppliers must also create, produce, or co-pack the products in Texas.
Suppliers, don’t hesitate to jump on this exciting opportunity!
