Best Choice, the flagship private brand of Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), earned four 2025 Salute to Excellence Awards from the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA). The honors showcase the strength and diversity of AWG’s private brands portfolio across meat, spices, candy and paper goods.
The awards recognize outstanding innovation and quality in private label products. The winners were announced Nov. 16-18 during PLMA’s 2025 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago.
The four items are:
- Best Choice from the Farm Honey Ham Lunch Meat;
- Best Choice Honey Garlic Wing Seasoning Mix;
- Best Choice Sour Fruity Gummi Hoops; and
- Best Choice Kid-Ventures Trays.
The 2025 competition was the most challenging to date, with a record-breaking number of submissions. Almost 850 products were nominated by 50 North American retailers, making the recognition a significant achievement for AWG.
“We are honored to receive four PLMA Salute to Excellence Awards,” said Emily Detwiler, VP of AWG Brands. “This recognition is a direct reflection of our team’s dedication to developing quality and innovative products that rival national brands.”
The Salute to Excellence Awards have celebrated retail excellence in store brands since 1986. Each product under consideration undergoes testing and is evaluated by a judging panel of professionals and consumers on innovation and concept, sensory appeal, presentation and value for money.
“Our category management and private brands teams work hard to understand what today’s shoppers want, and these awards for Best Choice affirm they are hitting the mark,” said Tye Anthony, AWG’s chief merchandising and marketing officer. “These wins are a powerful statement about the strength of the AWG Brands program and our commitment to helping independent grocers thrive.”
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