New Creation Soda Works won the grand prize at the 2024 Flavor of Georgia food contest for their product, PECHES Georgia Peach Soda.
A family-owned company based in Bishop, Georgia, New Creation Soda Works started selling their soda syrups at a local farmer’s market in 2015. Today, their product line — comprised of sodas with flavors including strawberry habanero, butter pecan cream soda and the old-time root beer that inspired the company — sells in more than 700 locations nationwide.
PECHES Georgia Peach Soda combines the state fruit with purified carbonated water and pure cane sugar for what Head Brewer Alex Harding calls a light, refreshing beverage free from high fructose corn syrup and caffeine.
“We’re proud to partner with Pearson Farm and for all our peaches to be sourced from Georgia. We’re trying to create a great experience; an experience that you want to come back to,” Harding said. “We test and pilot until we think the flavor is the best in the world.”
New Creation Soda Works was among 36 finalists narrowed down from 139 entries during the first round of judging last month. Products are judged on their Georgia theme, commercial appeal, taste, innovation and market potential. Judges for the contest include food brokers, grocery buyers and other food experts.
Flavor of Georgia, a University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Signature Event organized by the Department of Food Science and Technology (FST), has helped launch small, startup food companies while garnering recognition in new markets for established brands since 2007. The contest is supported by presenting sponsor AGCO, as well as the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Grown, the CAES Alumni Association, Farm Credit Associations of Georgia and Corteva Agriscience.
“The Flavor of Georgia contest allows the Department of Food Science and Technology to engage and promote food entrepreneurs in Georgia,” said Manpreet…
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