Kim's Cheese Straws of Statesboro and Hunter Creek Cattle Company of Brooklet both won big at the University of Georgia's annual Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest in Atlanta.
        Kim Kaiser, who owns Marsh Creek Bakery, won first place in the Snack Category with her Kim's Cheese Straws Pecan Cheddar variety, and the Ferguson family, who owns Hunter Cattle Company, won first place in the Meat Category with their Hot Georgia Night Sausage.
        The contest, conducted by the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, is a chance for food businesses to showcase their new products.
        A team of food industry experts and grocery buyers chose the Fergusons' sausage and Kaiser's cheese straws as the best in their categories. They rated the products on qualities including innovation, use of Georgia theme, market potential and flavor.
        Gov. Nathan Deal, Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean and Director Sam Pardue congratulated the category and grand prizewinners as part of Georgia Agriculture Awareness Day at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta.
        "We had over 100 products submitted this year and some of the toughest competition we've seen in the contest's 10 year history," said Sharon P. Kane, Flavor of Georgia contest coordinator. "The 33 products represented are truly the best of the best."
        Showcase events like the 2016 Flavor of Georgia competition help entrepreneurs spread the word about their products.
Many have landed spots in regional and national grocery chains like Whole Foods, Ingles, Fresh Market, Earth Fare, Kroger and Harvey's.