GREENERFRIDAY HOLIDAY GIFT AWARDS 2026
MISSOURI — THREE CANDIDATES

No winners have been selected. Public voting is separate from editorial evaluation.

Askinosie Chocolate — 72% Mababu, Tanzania Dark Chocolate Bar
The bar contains organic cane sugar. Askinosie describes using a compostable inner wrapper, an unbleached waxed-paper outer bag and reused bean-bag string in its bar-packing process.
State connection: Bean-to-bar chocolate made at Askinosie’s factory in Springfield, Missouri; the cocoa comes from Tanzania.
Considerations: The cocoa is not presented as certified organic. Compostability is a maker claim and depends on the component and disposal conditions. Check shared-facility allergen information and warm-weather shipping.
User evidence: Chocolate enthusiasts describe repeat purchases and successful tasting-party gifts from Askinosie; an independent tasting database records purchases and ratings of the exact Mababu 72% bar.
Scope: Brand-level repeat-buying discussion plus exact-bar tasting record.
Limitations: The forum mostly discusses other bars and the exact-bar tasting record is small and older. Positive brand sentiment does not prove this bar is universally preferred.
Sources: https://askinosie.com/collections/chocolate-bars/products/72-mababu-tanzania-dark-chocolate-bar | https://askinosie.com/pages/making-our-chocolate | https://askinosie.com/pages/our-story | https://www.reddit.com/r/chocolate/comments/1ng7lj6/askinosie/ | https://www.ceder.net/chocolate/viewsingle.php?RecordId=2572

Sow Right Seeds — 15 Herb Seed Collection
Open-pollinated herb seeds from a company that documents a solar-powered seed operation.
State connection: Family-owned seed company based in Greenwood, Missouri.
Considerations: Company-level energy practice; home-growing outcomes depend on climate and care. Non-GMO does not mean certified organic.
User evidence: Gardeners report successfully germinating Sow Right Seeds and using the brand repeatedly.
Scope: Seed brand and other varieties, not all fifteen herbs in this collection.
Limitations: Germination is species-, storage- and care-dependent. Other threads question variety labelling; avoid a blanket reliability claim for the whole kit.
Sources: https://sowrightseeds.com/products/15-herb-seed-collection | https://sowrightseeds.com/pages/about-us | https://www.reddit.com/r/aerogarden/comments/1ky5x20/ | https://www.reddit.com/r/gardening/comments/1jowby7/ | https://www.reddit.com/r/herbs/comments/1r9i0rc/

themelty.co — Blood Orange, Lime & Agave Candle Refill Kit (7.5 oz)
Refill format allows a compatible candle vessel to be used again.
State connection: The maker lists its studio on Main Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
Considerations: Use only the compatible heat-safe vessel and follow the maker's refill instructions. No wax or packaging certification is credited.
User evidence: Local press covers the founder and sister company, but no useful owner assessment of this refill scent/kit was found.
Scope: Brand profile, not product demand.
Limitations: A refill mechanism is a valid feature but does not prove scent quality, safe usability or repeat purchase.
Sources: https://themelty.co/products/blood-orange-lime-agave-7-5oz-candle-refill-kit | https://themelty.co/ | https://www.thepitchkc.com/four-inane-questions-with-effing-candle-co-s-birdie-hansen/

Voting: https://greenerfriday.com/press/holiday-gift-awards-2026/missouri/#public-vote

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