Tart Wins First-Ever Industry Award, Named 2026 Startup CPG Shelfie Award Winner

Emerging tart cherry beverage brand takes home Beverage with Benefits award less than eight months after launching

Tart, the organic healthy lifestyle beverage built around tart cherry and mineral water, has won its first-ever industry award, taking home a 2026 Startup CPG Shelfie Award in the Beverage with Benefits category.

The award marks a major milestone for the emerging beverage brand, which officially launched on January 1, 2026, and has spent its first eight months building momentum across the beverage and CPG industries.

Founded by Lindsey Fredrick, Tart was created to make tart cherry more approachable by pairing it with mineral water in a refreshing, ready-to-drink beverage. The brand's Original Cherry is made with five organic ingredients, with no natural flavors, preservatives, or additives.

“Winning our first-ever award feels pretty surreal,” said Lindsey Fredrick, Founder and CEO of Tart. “I started making Tart in my college kitchen because I couldn't find a tart cherry drink that I actually wanted to drink every day. Seeing something that started in my kitchen now being recognized by the CPG industry is a really special full-circle moment.”

Just the Beginning

The Shelfie Award comes at a pivotal moment for Tart. Since launching in January, the brand has made significant strides in building its business and establishing itself within the competitive beverage category.

Tart was also recently selected for UNFI's UpNext Supplier Development Program, creating new opportunities for the brand as it continues to expand its distribution and reach more consumers.

With major milestones already behind it and even more in the works, Tart is entering the next phase of its growth with big plans for the remainder of 2026 and beyond.

“It's really exciting to look back at everything we've accomplished in just eight months, but I honestly feel like we're still at the very beginning,” said Fredrick. “There is so much more in store for Tart, and winning our first award makes me even more excited about what's next.”

Where to Find Tart

Follow Tart's journey and be the first to see what's next:

Instagram: @drink.tart

TikTok: @drink.tart

Website: drinktart.com

About Tart

Tart is an organic healthy lifestyle beverage built around tart cherry and mineral water. Made with five organic ingredients, Tart contains no natural flavors, preservatives, or additives. Founded by Lindsey Fredrick, Tart was born from a recipe developed in her college kitchen at Michigan State University and officially launched in January 2026.

Be Smart. Drink Tart.