How to Submit to Better Homes & Garden’s 2026 Food Awards

We’re now accepting submissions for the third annual BHG Food Awards, where we recognize new pantry ingredients and products to help home cooks make delicious meals and dishes. After going through rounds of testing with our BHG Food Team, we’ll reveal the winners on our website and in the magazine in a 2026 issue.

What We’re Accepting

In order to be considered for the Food Awards, items should fit in any one of the following categories:

• Upgraded pantry staples: sauces, dressings, condiments, canned goods, noodles, grains, shortcut meal kits, syrups, mixers, extracts, sweet or savory baking mixes
• Refrigerated staples: meal starters, salad kits, side dishes, condiments, dressings, dips, cheeses
• Frozen staples: vegetables, grains, sauces, pasta, dumplings, side dishes

What We’re Not Accepting

The following types of foods are not part of the Food Awards:

• Snack foods: chips, candies, snack mixes, meat sticks, granola bars, cereals
• Beverages: sodas, alcoholic drinks, milks, coffees, teas
• Fresh produce: fruits, vegetables
• Ready-made meals: frozen entrées, shelf stable meals, pizzas, breakfast sandwiches, burritos
• Dietary supplements: nutrition shakes, protein powders, protein bars

Submission Requirements

1. Product must be new and released between January 2025 and December 2025.
2. Samples should be available to send for consideration by August 1, 2025, with packaging finalized by October 1, 2025.
3. Products must be available nationwide either in grocery stores or via mail order and be a permanent offering (no limited-time offerings).
4. Existing products with small variations in packaging aesthetics do not qualify, but a product with a completely new formula or flavor or a smart new package that reduces waste, for instance, qualifies.

How to Submit to the Food Awards

We will be accepting submissions for the 2026 Food Awards until Friday, July 25, 2025. Please fill out one SUBMISSION FORM per product in order to be considered for the awards.

Products chosen for the testing round of the process will be notified on or after August 1, 2025, with instructions on where to send the samples. If selected as a finalist, you will be contacted after October 1, 2025.

If you have questions in the meantime, please contact us at [email protected].