Brands with extraordinary stories were invited to compete in WSWA’s Annual Brand Battle, a competition of solid brand identity, presentation, and approach. South Carolina brand, Seaside Grown, pitched their business plan for a heartier, fresher bloody mary mix made from estate grown, vine-ripe, hand-picked tomatoes to a panel of industry insiders and live audience last week. With humble beginnings just one year ago, this baby brand impressed the judges with a pitch illustrating their simple ingredients and earnest processes to come out on top as WSWA’s 2019 Brand Battle Champion.
Seaside’s flagship product, a farm-to-table, or as they like to call it, “field to glass” bloody mary mix, was spearheaded by fifth generation family member, Ross Taylor. More than 100 years after Taylor’s great, great grandfather, Gus Sanders, started a small tomato patch off the sound from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, this commercial tomato farm is being recognized for producing a wholesome product made from “God’s finest tomatoes.” Since June 2018, when their first batch was launched, Seaside Grown has built an exciting resume: Garden & Gun’s Number One Holiday Gift for the Southern Cook, People’s Choice at the 2019 Bloody Mary Festival, 2019 Drunken Tomato Awards recipient and now, WSWA’s 2019 Brand Battle Champion. “Its all about segmented growth,” said Taylor at the April 3 event, “We’re looking to expand into Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
We’re looking to grow strategically and, with that, tell our story the best we can, while of course maintaining the integrity of our product.” The panel of judges concluded by saying Seaside Grown’s Bloody Mary Mix had the unparalleled potential to be housed in “Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods-type markets.” With a projected case production of roughly 22,000, the company will more than triple their distribution with this June’s harvest. For more information on the history and evolution of Seaside Grown, visit www.seasidegrown.com or contact Paige Glazer at paige@seasidegrown.com.
