After a month of online voting throughout March, the top three was set based on vote totals from the public. Our overall winner – Bubbies Fine Foods also is featured on the July episode of the From the Cold Corner podcast.

R&FF spoke with each of the winning companies about how their products and packaging fit into a crowded refrigerated and frozen foods marketplace, sustainability efforts, plans for the future and more. These interviews have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Tell us about the R&D process and how Bubbies’ pickles are made?

While a proprietary process, all of our pickles are made with a high-grade, quality cucumber and fresh ingredients for inclusion in our flavored varieties. From there, the magic of pickling takes hold with all of our Bread & Butter pickle items based on the foundation of vinegar, sugar, and a custom spice blend. The pickles are packed in our sustainable glass jar with brine, and then our metal lid seals the goodness inside.

What innovative features does Bubbies Spicy Bread & Butter Chips have that helped it finish first?

For more than 40 years, long before fermentation and pickling became a “trend,” people have trusted Bubbies as an expert in fermented and pickled products. Our Spicy Bread & Butter Chips were no exception. Bubbies uses family recipes, time-honored methods, and real ingredients to achieve the famous homemade taste that reminds many of the food their grandmother used to make (did you know that Bubbies means Grandma in Yiddish?).

Bubbies Spicy Bread & Butter Chips are a sweet, tangy, and spicy snack people crave. These chips have real chutzpah and are made with real and whole ingredients, including fresh specially selected pickling cucumbers and sweet & spicy Fresno chili peppers.

People are drawn to our natural, nutritious, and no-nonsense commitment to clean ingredients. Bubbies Spicy Bread & Butter Chips are preservative-free, gluten-free, and certified non-GMO and Kosher. Unlike most pickles, our pickles are found in the refrigerated section, where they are chilled for the perfect crunch.

How does the packaging design promote and protect the food?

Bubbies glass jar has several advantages! The top two: promotion and protection. Our premium glass jars just so happen to also be beautiful and versatile for reuse (think of a vase, storage jar, or food container).

In terms of promotion, our iconic glass Bubbies jar allows shoppers to see the pickles in the chilled chest, flush with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The glass jar is also an upscale offering and more sustainable and efficient than those using plastic. In terms of protecting the pickles, the glass material we chose is designed to help maintain the flavor and quality of the product, as well as a secure barrier against the elements. This barrier helps prevent spoilage and provides a longer shelf life. Our glass packaging also has a metal lid offering an airtight seal. This airtight environment further protects the pickles from contamination and spoilage.

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How does Bubbies incorporate sustainability into its production process?

Sustainability and reducing our environmental footprint is important to Bubbies. We seek and source from suppliers, as available, who use eco-friendly practices and ethically sourced materials that are recyclable.

We are also intentional about designing for reusability. Many of our fans share their recreations and DIY projects on social media, sharing their most creative creations as they minimize waste, one jar of pickles at a time!

What type of distribution model does Bubbies use? Does Bubbies have a direct-to-consumer/e-commerce strategy?

It all began at local farmers markets back in 1982 in San Francisco, where owner Leigh Truex discovered her family recipe. At that time, it was more than 100 years old. Today, over 40 years after her first pickle was sold, Leigh’s family recipe lives on, is distributed nationally, and stands as the top condiment brand in the natural foods category. To keep pace with our increase in shoppers, we use traditional indirect channels like distributors, retailers and have a robust D2C channel through our e-commerce store from Bubbies.com, as well as on Instacart.

Where can Bubbies products be purchased?

With over 10,000 storefronts found coast to coast, as well as abroad in Costco locations around the world, you can find Bubbies in the refrigerated section at major retailers like Sprouts, Whole Foods Market, Kroger, Target, as well as hundreds of smaller boutique natural grocery stores.

What is on the horizon for Bubbies?

Earlier this year, Bubbies announced a breakthrough innovation in fermented foods: Bubbies Kosher Dill Pickle Chips. The first fermented pickle chip in the world, with two flavors, Original and Spicy, debuted at Natural Products Expo West mid-March. Our research found that consumers were cutting Bubbies’ whole Kosher Dill Pickles into chips, for use in dishes like hamburgers, pasta salads and grilled cheese sandwiches. While the shelf-stable and refrigerated “pickle” section is full of chips and spears, there were no options for a REAL fermented, refrigerated pickle chip.

After lengthy research and development, using a proprietary lacto-fermentation process, we finally cracked the code for producing a better-for-you fully fermented pickle chip at scale. We’re now able to offer the robust, fermented flavor and homemade taste of our traditional Kosher Dill Pickles, along with our signature cloudy brine, now in a crisp and crunchy chip. For more, listen to our podcast episode featuring Chris Glab.

Tell us about the R&D process and how is the pickle dip made?

After conducting deep consumer research to help determine our next key innovation, we concepted Dill Pickle Chip Dip and other flavors in the new Chip Dip line to meet our audience’s needs. To strike the right balance between a flavor and texture that consumers crave with a plant-based, Top 9 Allergen Free formula, we harnessed the power of plants like cauliflower and cucumber, created a creaminess with pumpkin seeds, and added in bursts of flavor with ingredients like dill, Dijon mustard, pickle relish and seasoning blends to develop a mouthwatering line of dips that everyone can enjoy.

What innovative features does Good Foods Group’s Dill Pickle Chip Dip have that helped it finish second?

We found that more than 85 million Americans are currently affected by life-threatening food allergies and intolerances (FARE) and treatment of diagnosed anaphylactic reactions to food saw a 377% increase between 2006 and 2017 (FAIR Health). In response, our team at Good Foods wanted to serve this growing audience and developed Dill Pickle Chip Dip.

We’re redefining dips that everyone can enjoy. Not only does this cauliflower-based dip boast big flavor, but also this new product has allowed us to push the refrigerated dips category by championing integrity and inclusivity. Dill Pickle's formula is one of the category's first to remove the Top 9 allergens — milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame ingredients.

This flavor was also inspired by our consumer research. We've made a concerted effort to center our customers when concepting new innovations and marketing initiatives. For example, our findings from taste wise uncovered that social conversations around pickles have increased by 30.75% over the last year and that the snack category has the fastest-growing consumer demand for pickles.

How does the packaging design promote and protect the food?

Dill Pickle Chip Dip is available in 8 oz. cups and made using high-pressure processing technology for ultimate flavor, freshness and food safety.

How does Good Foods Group incorporate sustainability into its production process?

We strive to make the world a happier, healthier and more sustainable place through our products. We cut down on our carbon footprint by reducing waste, energy, water, and freight emissions by recycling water in our production process, repurposing byproducts and using a vendor code of conduct for responsible sourcing, utilizing post-consumer recycled materials and reducing use of plastics when possible.

What type of distribution model does Good Foods Group use? Does Good Foods Group have a direct-to-consumer/e-commerce strategy?

We support customer pick-ups, shipments direct to retail partners and distribution centers. Select packages and variety packs are also available direct-to-consumer online — perfect for your next gathering.

Where can Good Foods Group products be purchased?

Good Foods guacamoles, salsas and dips are available in national retailers nationwide like Target and select Costco regions including the Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, Los Angeles and Canada. Good Foods is also available in major regional grocers like Kroger, Publix, Sprouts and Food Lion.

What is on the horizon for Good Foods Group?

Good Foods will continue to promote and gain distribution for its line of allergen-free chip dips and we’re currently executing our third experiential Dip into Summer Tour across the U.S.

We’ll also develop new products rooted in consumer research that are made with real ingredients, free of preservatives and artificial flavors. We’re committed to keeping consumer needs at the forefront of product innovation, offering delicious and inclusive snacking options to even more people everywhere.

Tell us about the R&D process and how are Doughlicious Cookie Dough and Gelato Bites treats made?

The R&D process for creating treats like Doughlicious Cookie Dough and Gelato Bites requires creativity, attention to detail and a commitment to quality to bring innovative and appealing products to market.

What innovative features does Doughlicious have that helped it finish third?

Doughlicious crossed the pond from the UK in December 2023, captivating taste buds from coast to coast. It is highly snackable Frozen Cookie Dough & Gelato Bites have quickly gained popularity amongst consumers seeking portion-controlled, indulgent snacks that also happen to be better for you. With epic taste and texture, these mouthwatering cookie dough and gelato bites are made with premium ingredients, naturally gluten-free, with no added refined sugar, and free from white-bleached flour, artificial additives, and preservatives.

How does the packaging design promote and protect the food?

True to its reputation for crafting the next evolution of frozen snacks, Doughlicious spared no effort in creating an experience that embodies the essence of its products - deliciously daring, approachable and boasting "lick the pack appeal" that is simply irresistible. Every detail is designed to evoke consumer envy and ignite the senses, from vibrant colors and bold doughy typography to indulgent photography and textures.

How does Doughlicious incorporate sustainability into its production process?

Doughlicious produces cookies that are better for you and the environment in a factory powered by 100% renewable energy. Its ingredients are sourced from reputable suppliers who adhere to the brand’s high standards of quality, animal welfare, and sustainable production methods. Its dough is individually portioned to minimize food waste.

What type of distribution model does Doughlicious use? Does Doughlicious have a direct-to-consumer/e-commerce strategy?

The global pandemic became Doughlicious’ moment of expansion, catapulting the brand into every major retailer in the UK as well as Australia. After a successful introduction to the U.S. market in December 2023 across four strategic Whole Foods Market regions, Doughlicious announced its nationwide launch with the retailer in April 2024. The brand is taking a strategic approach to expanding in the U.S. Launching Doughlicious products at Whole Foods Market aligns perfectly with the brand’s philosophy and target audience; the natural channel allows Doughlicious to establish a foothold in a market that values high-quality, better-for-you ingredients, and innovative food options.

Where can Doughlicious products be purchased?

Doughlicious can be found nationwide at Whole Foods Market. Consumers everywhere can now experience Doughlicious’ highly snackable Frozen Cookie Dough and Gelato Bites, including best-selling flavors like Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Truffle, and Mint Chocolate Chip. Other flavors include Cinnamon Churro, a playful twist on the classic sugar cookie, and fresh Blueberry Frozen Yogurt and Strawberry fruit varieties.

What is on the horizon for Doughlicious?

The team is working hard to Dough-minate the U.S. market and excited for distribution expansion.

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