The Scoop: Four Missouri food companies earn Good Food Awards

  It’s one thing to make a food product that tastes good. It’s another to accomplish that while also being socially and environmentally responsible. The Good Food Awards recognizes U.S. companies committed to both, and this year four Missouri businesses took home awards. Askinosie Chocolate, Hammonds Products Co., Kakao Chocolate and Patric Chocolate all received a Good Food Award at the fourth annual event. Products were judged in 10 categories – beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, coffee, confections, oils, pickles, preserves and spirits – and 130 winners were declared. The companies were honored at an awards ceremony and reception that took place Jan. 16 in San Francisco. In the chocolate category, Askinosie earned Good Food Awards for three of its bars: the 62 percent dark milk chocolate, fleur de sel and 70 percent Ecuador dark chocolate bar. Patric, located in Columbia, Mo., earned awards for its signature 70 percent blend bar, as well as its Mocha OMG bar. In the confections category, Kakao, the only St. Louis-based company to earn a Good Food Award this year, won for its lavender truffle; Patric’s mint crunch chocolate bar netted its confection award. The new oil category recognized “America's tastiest fruit, nut and seed oils from pioneering producers who hold to the highest standards of quality and sustainability,” according to the Good Food Awards website. Walnut company Hammons Products Co., based in Stockton, Mo., took home an award for its black walnut oil.