HOUSTON – Celebrating local foods and all things Texas, H-E-B is searching for the most creative and mouthwatering, Texas-based food and beverage entrepreneurs or small businesses to participate in the 2017 H-E-B Primo Picks Quest for Texas Best competition. Interested creators may submit their unique product details online at heb.com/quest beginning Wednesday, February 22 through Wednesday, April 5, 2017. Participants will compete not only for cash prizes but also for the opportunity to include their uniquely Texan products on H-E-B shelves across the state.

H-E-B’s Business Development Managers will determine the top 25 applicants, who will present their products before a panel of judges selected by H-E-B on August 10 and 11, 2017 at the Central Texas Food Bank in Austin. The panel of judges will determine the top four winning products.

H-E-B will award the Grand Prize winner $25,000, the title of “Texas Best” Primo Pick and placement on store shelves; the first place winner $20,000; the second place winner $15,000; and the third place winner $10,000. Eligible products must not be available in any other large chain or retailer and the vendors must be willing to sell exclusively to H-E-B. Additionally, Texas-based suppliers must also create, produce or co-pack the products in Texas.

Since its inception in 2014, the Quest for Texas Best competition has received more than 1,500 entries from over 200 Texas towns yielding almost 200 new products on H-E-B store shelves across the state. To celebrate aisles and aisles of Texas, highlighting Texas farmers, growers and manufacturers, H-E-B will kick off its two week TexFest, February 22 – March 7.

Last year, Kyle, Texas’ Chef Julie Albertson took home the Grand Prize title and $25,000 for her Texas Pie Company Original Pie Dough Puck – the secret to making the perfect, homemade pie. Houston’s own Puray Patel and Aarti Garehgrat of Bagel Dots placed first in the 2016 competition taking home $20,000 and are coming soon to H-E-B shelves. In the meantime, Michael Briggs’ Briggs Spicy Bacon Bourbon BBQ Sauce, a 2016 Top 25 Finalist, just hit store shelves.

H-E-B leaders will visit local chambers of commerce, small business development organizations and business advocacy groups February 15 - March 31 to raise awareness of the product search and contest, and advise potential entrants about product development and best practices for entering their product in the competition. Cities include: Beaumont, Copperas Cove, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Del Rio, Houston, Laredo, McAllen, Round Rock and San Antonio. To register, please visit heb.com/quest.

ABOUT H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $23 billion, operates more than 380 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2015. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience at everyday low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 96,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com.