PG Editors' Picks

Editors' Picks

Reach for the Stars This year’s standout products offer innovation, value and, increasingly, functionality.

GROCERY

BEVERAGE

FROZEN

NONFOODS

MEAT

SEAFOOD

DELI

PREPARED FOODS

PRODUCE

Every year, Progressive Grocer receives scores of entries for its annual Editors’ Picks competition, which spotlights the most impactful consumer products of the past year. Our dedicated editorial staffers pore over each submission, evaluating each item according to such criteria as originality, value, relevance functionality, packaging and category performance. It’s always a difficult task, but as avid supermarket shoppers and lovers of everything new and interesting in the grocery channel, we welcome the challenge. Among the products that caught our attention as judges were Acme Lox in the Box with cream cheese, offering a convenient schmear; Deep Indian Kitchen Kati Street Wraps, enabling U.S, consumers to take Indian food on the go; Hodo Chili Crisp Dip, combining creamy texture with spicy flavor; MyBacon, reimagining the beloved breakfast staple with organic oyster mushroom mycelium; the Simply Done Variety Pack Organizer, effortlessly streamlining kitchen and pantry storage; and Whipped SO VANILLA Alc-Infused Non Dairy Whipped Cream, providing easy boozy indulgence. Additionally, as in years past, private brands displayed their expertise at capitalizing on consumer trends at value prices, with products from ALDI, Southeastern Grocers and Topco Associates making the cut in various categories. Meanwhile, the better-for-you bona fides of many submissions were balanced by the knowledge that consumers need – and deserve – to splurge sometimes, with various entries touting their ability to offer both nutrition and decadence by focusing on portion control and/or healthier ingredients. What’s more, sustainability was front and center for a large number of items in such key areas as sourcing, production and packaging. To discover all of this year’s Editors’ Picks, check out the following pages, and expect the cravings to kick in as you peruse the best of what 2024 has to offer in foods, beverages and nonfoods.

This product is billed as the only convenient snack containing cold-smoked salmon. The ready-to-eat offering includes a pouch of buttery lox, along with four crackers and a pack of Philadelphia cream cheese. The Lox in the Box collection includes other flavors as well, but this is a tried-and-true favorite that also travels well for school, work or a picnic. Acme Smoked Fish introduced the novel line to consumers and retailers with digital and social media campaigns and giveaways in New York City. It’s already been well received by a younger consumer base, boding well for its future.

Acme Lox in the Box with Cream Cheese

Suggested Retail Price: $6.99 per 3.25-ounce box

These Taiwanese-style vegan noodles from A-Sha Noodles have a healthy halo, given that they’re free of preservatives and artificial flavors and made with fiber-rich whole wheat flour, but they also have their looks going for them. Air-dried “Meteor” noodles are crafted with a patented dual blade to form a “revolving” noodle shape for a 3-D appearance and to create an effective carrier for sauces. Seasoned with sesame paste and spices, the variety packs some heat and can serve as an easy-to-prepare meal, thanks to a convenient package containing a noodle block and sauce.

A-Sha Meteor Noodles with Spicy Dan Dan Sauce

Suggested Retail Price: $15.99 per 4-pack

A twist on American cheese singles, Armored Fresh’s plant-based alternative is made with oat milk yet has melty, savory attributes similar to its dairy counterpart. It’s also a nut-free alternative, following the brand’s earlier rollout of an almond milk American slice, and is free of soy, gluten, artificial flavors and preservatives. Shoppers will find this item priced similarly to dairy-made cheeses, making it accessible in more ways than one. From an R&D perspective, the product is made by fermenting oat milk with a plant-based mixed bacterial culture to produce flavor compounds replicating the distinct taste of cheese.

Armored Fresh Oat Milk American Slices

Suggested Retail Price: $4.99 per package of 10 slices

A heat-and-eat solution for a quick morning meal or anytime snack, these bites are high in protein and free from gluten and antibiotics, with a clean ingredient label. The Country Style and White Cheddar flavors appeal to a wide range of taste preferences and the resealable packaging with four servings makes it a convenient option for busy days and weeks. This product is Amylu Foods’ first frozen product and represents a new frontier for the company in offering convenient, nutritious options to consumers. The brand is getting that message across through in-store ads, on-shelf-sales, and organic and paid social media.

Amylu Breakfast Bites

Suggested Retail Price: $6.99 per 12-ounce package

BEVERAGES

MEAT

Bakery

BEVERAGE

Dairy/ Refrigerated

Deli/ Prepared Foods

Frozen

Grocery

Meat

Nonfoods

PRODUCE

Deli/Prepared Foods

Frozen

Grocery

Meat

Nonfoods

Produce

Dairy/Refrigerated

Beverage

Bakery

By Progressive Grocer Staff

As its name suggests, this cold foam brings the coffeehouse experience home. Available exclusively at ALDI stores, the cold foam has a consistency similar to whipped cream but is made specifically as a flavorful topper that melts and eventually mixes into the drink. The vanilla variety adds a light sweetness to coffees, and the line also includes a Caramel Macchiato flavor. Following ALDI’s push in digital and print media, the exclusive item was an early hit and gained steam in customers’ shared social media posts; it’s now part of the grocer’s core lineup.

Barissimo Barista Vanilla Cold Foam

Suggested Retail Price: $3.69 per 13-ounce can

Hatch chiles have a definite and often passionate following, and this product offers extra appeal because it’s sold in a resealable cellophane pouch versus the traditional bulk format. In its first year and under a private label brand, it flew off shelves as shoppers clamored for the spicy taste and enticing price point; the item helped lift the overall Basket & Bushel portfolio performance. Topco Associates LLC kicked off the launch with in-store and digital marketing tools and touted the strong cross-promotional opportunities, while suggested recipes and online usage tips expanded on already impressive initial shopper interest.

Basket & Bushel Hatch Chile Peppers

Suggested Retail Price Range: $6.99-$7.99 per 32-ounce bag

It’s clear: Shoppers are seeking protein-rich, clean-label broths. Bell & Evans delivered with this pick made using only slow-simmered chicken bones and water. It’s also unique in that it’s a fresh product and merchandised in a shatterproof and leak-proof jar in the meat case alongside Bell & Evans chicken. The broth packs a powerful nutrient punch, with 19 grams of protein and 10 grams of collagen per serving, with no added salt or preservatives. Retailers were supported by an omnichannel launch campaign that included in-store messaging, demos, digital and print coupons, social media posts, and sponsored search, among other tactics.

Bell & Evans Organic Chicken Bone Broth

Suggested Retail Price: $9.99 per 24-fluid-ounce jar

As they seek to get more out of their food dollar, consumers are flocking to private label products, including salad dressings. This premium line from Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) is made with high-quality oils and elevated flavors and sold in a glass bottle with eye-catching photography. Now available in six flavors – two varieties were added after the initial rollout – the dressings give consumers a chance to trade from the national-brand equivalent and give retailers extra margin. AWG supported the launch with ads, planograms and end cap plans, along with a 90-day introductory deal.

Best Choice Superior Selections Salad Dressing

Suggested Retail Price: $3.49 per 12-fluid-ounce bottle

Talk about cutting waste – this compostable cutlery is made with marine materials, including polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), to optimize degradability. Developed by TrueChoicePack, the cutlery holds up well and offers a better sustainable profile than current industry-standard solutions like PLA. Grocers can add the product as a choice for consumers looking for alternatives to plastic utensils. On the market for less than a year, the product met market demands while spurring a shift to eco-friendlier options in the category. Its success also demonstrated that private label brands can lead innovations and drive the push to sustainability.

BioGreenChoice Home Compostable PHA Cutlery

Suggested Retail Price: $3.99 per 24-count box

Making its debut in Sprouts Farmers Market stores last year, this line of better-for-you gluten-free waffles from a Latina-founded brand is available in traditional Homestyle and Blueberry flavors, as well as a distinctive Cheesy waffle flavor inspired by Brazilian cheese bread. That variety is a first-of-its kind savory waffle that garnered early attention on social media, leading to more than 210,000 views and 750,000 impressions on Instagram. Frozen heat-and-eat Brazi Bites waffles contain 5 to 9 grams of protein each and can be enjoyed as a breakfast, snack or even dinner. Since the launch, Whole Foods Market has introduced the line.

Brazi Bites Gluten-Free Waffles

Suggested retail price: $5.99 per 6-count box

Global and regional flavors differentiate these salad kits from indoor-farming company BrightFarms. The Mediterranean kit includes greens grown in a hydroponic farm, ready to be tossed with feta cheese, roasted lentils, herbed flatbread, herbaceous Greek flavors and a tangy feta vinaigrette, while the Southwest Chipotle Crunch variety changes it up with leafy greens, fire-roasted corn, cotija cheese, tortilla strips and chipotle ranch dressing. These kits are designed for convenience: users simply combine ingredients, reseal the removable lid over the recycled plastic container, shake and enjoy. Bonus: The greens arrive at local grocery stores as quickly as 24 hours after harvest.

BrightFarms Mediterranean and Southwest Chipotle Crunch Kits

Suggested Retail Price: $4.99 per approximately 7-ounce kit

Tinned seafood is having a moment, and so is the low-sodium movement. This product combines both, with a product containing 56% less sodium than the brand’s regular albacore in a convenient, familiar format. Each can supplies 29 grams of protein and 300 milligrams of EPA and DHA omega-3s. According to Bumble Bee Seafoods, the product was the most successful item launched in the entire shelf-stable seafood category in 2023, and was followed by two more low-sodium albacore items introduced in July 2024. Additionally, the can stands out on shelf, thanks to its lighthouse symbol representing category guidance.

Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore, Low-Sodium

Suggested Retail Price: $2.29 per 5-ounce can

Go big and go home. That’s the takeaway from BuzzBallz Chillers BIGGIES, which come in the same signature spherical shape – made from non-breakable plastic material – as regular BuzzBallz adult beverages, but in a shareable size. Available in StrawberryRita, LimeRita and ChocoChiller varieties, the drinks are derived from natural flavors and contain 15% alcohol by volume, similar to bar-crafted cocktails. The BIGGIES line is a hit, according to woman-owned BuzzBallz LLC, which recently added more production capabilities for the product and intends to launch more flavors and marketing initiatives to support the line.

BuzzBallz Chillers BIGGIES

Suggested Retail Price: $19.99 per 1.5-liter bottle

Proving that dark chocolate does, in fact, marry well with lemon flavor, this product is a standout for its uniqueness, taste and reduced-sugar profile. The confection is made from organic chocolate that’s lower in sugar, without any artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, enrobing a lemon-infused organic white chocolate center. The candy contains only 4 grams of sugar per cup and is Certified Organic, Certified Gluten-Free and kosher. Promoted as a treat for spring, Chocxo Chocolatier supported the introduction with an integrated marketing campaign, in-store displays and demos. The item will return as a limited-edition offering in spring 2025.

Chocxo Dark Chocolate Lemon Crème Cups

Suggested Retail Price: $5.99 per 3.45-ounce package

Chomps upped the meat snack ante with this product, featuring a fun name, unique flavors and a format that appeals to the growing audience of protein-seeking shoppers. The Jalapeño version of the 100% grass-fed beef snack is made with real jalapeño peppers, while the Sea Salt variety has a hint of garlic, too, for a simple, savory taste. These mini meat sticks have zero sugar and don’t contain soy, dairy, artificial preservatives or colors, MSG, or artificial nitrates or nitrites. Chomps expanded distribution of the products, which are touted as a convenient, nutrient-packed on-the-go snacking solution.

Chomps Sea Salt and Jalapeño Chomplings

Suggested Retail Price: $28 per 24-pack of 0.5-ounce sticks

As the product name suggests, these sauces bring fun and flavor to the eating experience. Chosen Foods sought to shake up the condiment category with health-forward products that are made with “good fats” from avocado oil and come in Everything Bagel Sauce, Chicken Sauce, and Burger Sauce varieties. That avocado oil base is a differentiator, as the manufacturer tests every batch and traces its supply to ensure that it meets high quality standards. First introduced at 1,000-plus Walmart stores, the line has expanded to Sprouts Farmers Market stores and is generating buzz on social media platforms.

Chosen Foods Dip & Drizzle Sauces

Suggested Retail Price Range: $5.98-$7.99 per 9-fluid-ounce bottle

This pick has triple cachets of a bite-sized format, permissibly indulgent flavor and affordability. Part of Dollar General’s private label Clover Valley portfolio, the product is made with real lobster meat and imitation crab meat rolled in panko and seasoning. As an appetizer, snack or part of dinner, the item is available in a resealable bag and can be prepared in the oven, deep fryer or air fryer. On a broader level, the product exemplifies the company’s “Food First” initiative including more refrigerated and frozen items. It won a PLMA award in the appetizers category in 2023.

Clover Valley Lobster Bites

Suggested Retail Price: $6 per 12-ounce package

Artisanal salts are trending lately, and this one is right up there as an interesting new option with a flame-grilled flavor. The product is billed as rich in minerals including potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium, and has a compelling backstory of production in a smokehouse along a shoreline. From a flavor POV, the flakes have a soft, melting texture that imparts a salty and smoky taste. The product was a hit at recent trade shows, and the teams at World Finer Foods and Cornish Sea Salt are hosting masterclass training sessions on these salts for brokers and sales teams.

Cornish Sea Salt Smoky Flakes

Suggested Retail Price: $5.99 per 1.8-ounce container

Catering to a consumer desire for small indulgences, with 31% of shoppers saying that smaller portions motivate their purchase, Topco Associates’ Crav’n Flavor Mini Ice Cream Cones are made with real ice cream in a sugar cone and topped with chocolate-flavored coating and peanuts. The product is supported by a combination of Crav’n Flavor in-store, in-aisle and online marketing tools, and is offered in dual-panel paperboard boxes for easy display and easy recyclability.

Crav’n Flavor Mini Ice Cream Cones

Suggested Retail Price Range: $5.29-$5.99 per 22.5-fluid-ounce 10-count box

This Steak Cut Bacon represents Daily’s thickest cut ever and is representative of the fact that thick cuts are still outperforming standard cuts in the bacon category. The bacon is made with fresh, never-frozen pork bellies as part of Daily’s commitment to using the highest-quality ingredients, and is cured with premium sugar cure and smoked with natural hardwood. Daily’s is focused on growing at retail and has launched a strategic digital and print Bacon Comes First campaign promoting the product.

Daily’s Steak Cut Bacon

Suggested Retail Price: $8.99 per 16-ounce package

Deep Indian Kitchen’s Kati Street Wraps are designed to deliver an authentic Indian taste and texture experience, and each wrap comes with a microwave crisping sleeve that also functions as a convenient holder for easy, on-the-go consumption. The wraps feature paratha (Indian bread) that is filled with the brand’s leading entrée flavors, including Chicken Tikka Masala. The fillings are cooked in small batches and slowly simmered in sauces for several hours to create rich flavors. Additionally, Kati Street Wraps are ready in minutes and pack up to 19 grams of protein per serving.

Deep Indian Kitchen Kati Street Wraps

Suggested Retail Price: $4.39 per 5-ounce wrap

Pupusas, a traditional Salvadoran dish, are made with stone-ground corn masa and filled with a variety of fillings. Del Real Foods’ Birria & Cheese Mini Pupusas are crafted with beef birria and mozzarella cheese, and are ready to heat and serve in as little as three minutes. The pupusas are refrigerated and made with fresh premium ingredients and nothing artificial, and are hot packed, a process that helps lock in flavor and preserve freshness. Del Real Foods plans to further lean into the popularity of pupusas by introducing new flavors and fillings, including a vegetarian/vegan offering and a breakfast line.

Del Real Foods Birria & Cheese Mini Pupusas

Suggested Retail Price: $8.99 per package at Target

Women-owned Doughlicious is redefining the cookie dough experience with its latest frozen snack. Doughlicious cookie dough unites with creamy gelato, and is then dusted in cookie crumb. The hand-crafted Gluten Free Certified snacks are made in London in a factory powered by renewable electricity, and the company is also focused on better-for-you ingredients and sustainable practices. Doughlicious is collaborating closely with the Whole Foods Market merchandising team to facilitate hands-on interactions with the product.

Doughlicious Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough & Gelato Bites

Suggested Retail Price: $6.99 per 6.77-ounce package

Evergreen’s reformulated mini waffles are the only ones on the market that are packed with one whole serving of fruits and vegetables, 3 to 5 grams of fiber to support gut health, and 4 to 6 grams of protein for sustenance. The company uses no refined sugars, seed oils, or artificial flavorings or preservatives, and the reformulation prioritizes amped-up flavor and a lighter texture while staying within its nutritional guardrails and offering a truly better-for-you option to consumers. Dessert-forward flavors include Zucchini Carrot Cake, Peanut Butter Banana Bread, Apple Cinnamon Cobbler, Chocolate Zucchini Bread and Mixed Berry Cobbler.

Evergreen Frozen Mini Waffles

Suggested Retail Price: $5.99 per 9-ounce bag

Filippo Berio’s Truffle Pesto is produced in Liguria, Italy – the original home of pesto – which lends itself to the authenticity of the product. The pesto brings the rich flavor of black summer truffles to a variety of recipes at an affordable price, and requires no heating or cooking. The innovative product was driven by a keen observation of market trends and consumer insights gleaned from Filippo Berio’s custom research on the pesto category and access to innovation pipelines, and underscores the brand’s commitment to continuous innovation, sustainability and high-quality products that align with evolving consumer flavor preferences.

Filippo Berio Truffle Pesto

Suggested Retail Price: $5.99 per 6.7-ounce jar

Ranch-style beans represent a $30 million opportunity that has been growing 1.9% year over year. Food Club Southwest Ranch Beans fill a private label gap and help draw shopper attention with differentiated packaging that makes them stand out on a crowded canned-bean shelf, while also offering a practical, right-priced solution for spicing up meals or snacks. Further, the product is canned with a paper label for simple storage and convenient recycling.

Food Club Southwest Ranch Beans

Suggested Retail Price Range: $1.19-$1.49 per 15-ounce can

In a bid to bring popular American flavors to the masses, the Fresh Express Smokehouse Chopped Salad Kit features crunchy barbecue croutons; shredded smoked gouda; a blend of iceberg, green leaf lettuce, red cabbage and carrots; and a smoked bacon dressing. The salad is packaged in the company’s patented Keep-Crisp breathable bag, which leverages advancements in modified-atmosphere technology and employs a unique permeable plastic film that regulates the oxygen content within the bag to control the salad’s natural “breathing rate,” thus maintaining freshness, quality and product integrity.

Fresh Express Smokehouse Chopped Salad Kit

Suggested Retail Price: $4.49 per 10.5-ounce kit

Standing out for its innovative approach to traditional apple cider vinegar, Fresh Press Farms Peach Cider is made from 100% real peaches at peak ripeness. It offers an alternative to the harsh and overly acidic taste of traditional apple cider vinegar while being USDA Organic sourced and containing zero sugar. The company is taking an “always on” omnichannel approach to driving trial and awareness through digital coupons, in-store promotions and a robust store-level sampling initiative.

Fresh Press Farms Peach Cider Vinegar

Suggested Retail Price: $8.99 per 32.8-ounce bottle

Produce is having a moment, and Frieda’s Passion Fruit Three-Pack is taking the popular, albeit little-known, fruit to new levels. With many consumers unfamiliar with the appearance of fresh passion fruit, the company’s unique packaging, which is the first of its kind in the U.S. market and includes QR codes, aims to educate consumers about the fruit and provide suggested ways to enjoy it beyond typical consumer packaged goods products. The 3-pack format caters to modern lifestyles in terms of convenience, offering portion control and ease of use.

Frieda’s Passion Fruit Three-Pack

Suggested Retail Price Range: $4.99-$5.99 per 3-pack

A product of Italy, Full Circle Market Potato Gnocchi is made with corn and rice flour, as well as being organic and gluten-free. Unique to the market, the shelf-stable option is supported by a combination of Full Circle Market in-store and online marketing tools supplied by Topco Associates LLC.

Full Circle Market Potato Gnocchi

Suggested Retail Price: $4.99 per 17.6-ounce package

Described as a “savory, spicy, serious umami bomb,” Hodo Chili Crisp Dip boasts the unusual main ingredient of creamy, whole USDA Organic soybeans, along with bold aromatics including shallots, Sichuan peppercorns and shiitake mushrooms. The dip, which is very on-trend with the chili crisp craze, is vegan, dairy- and nut-free, and small-batch-made with simple yet premium ingredients. Further, the company’s focus on bringing a novel, organic cross-category twist to the dip and spread category aligns with consumers’ preferences for more diverse, savory options that elevate and expand their hummus habit and flavor palate.

Hodo Chili Crisp Dip

Suggested Retail Price: $5.99 per 8-ounce tub

Goodles’ research and development team tested more than 100 gluten-free recipes for its product before landing on the right blend of grains and noodle shapes for the highest nutritional value without compromising the eating experience. The team also carefully formulated both real cheese and a dairy-free alternative to maximize creaminess and properly cling to gluten-free noodles. The upgrade of popular boxed mac and cheese to something more nutritious has yielded Gluten-Free Cheddy Mac, which offers 13 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber with prebiotics, while the pun-tastic Vegan Be Heroes delivers 11 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber with prebiotics, and 21 nutrients from plants per serving.

Goodles Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese

Suggested Retail Price: $4.19 per 6-ounce box

Anthony Mangieri, the owner and chef of the renowned Una Pizza Napoletana restaurant, started Genio Della Pizza with genuine passion and decades of experience, setting out to create the perfect frozen pizza. The company’s pizzas are made in Italy from high-quality, traditionally cultivated ingredients, including freshly milled flour, buffalo mozzarella, local handpicked tomatoes and fresh Ligurian basil. After three years of research and development, Genio launched to near-immediate positive reviews, with The New York Times naming it the No. 1 frozen pizza in a blind taste test.

Genio Della Pizza

Suggested Retail Price: $11.99 per 15.3-ounce package

Galbani’s marinated fresh mozzarella can be enjoyed as a stand-alone snack or incorporated into salads, pasta dishes, sandwiches or appetizers. Additionally, the product can be used on chicken or fish, or as a dip with bread. The item is gluten-free, kosher and made in the United States. The introduction of the company’s two unique new flavors, Spicy Pepper and Garlic, Onion & Chives, has generated excitement among consumers and drawn more attention to the overall fresh mozzarella category.

Galbani Marinated Fresh Mozzarella

Suggested Retail Price Range: $8.99 per 12-ounce tub

KIND ZEROg Added Sugar Bars may be the company’s first keto-friendly and zero-added-sugar products, with only 1 gram of total sugar, but they still feature whole ingredients like almonds and peanuts. The 1.2-ounce bars come in three classic best-selling flavors from KIND’s classic nut bars – Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt, and Caramel Almond Sea Salt – and offer nutritional and functional benefits while not sacrificing on taste. As always, KIND is transparent about what’s in the bars and has clear packaging on part of the front label so consumers can see what the bar looks like without having to open it.

KIND ZEROg Added Sugar Bars

Suggested Retail Price: $7.99 per 6.2-ounce 5-count box

These dessert sandwiches – the first-ever wholesale novelty product from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams – are available in Chocolate Silk Pie, Mint Chocolate Truffle, Triple Berry Tart and Key Lime Pie flavors. The sandwiches are made with premium, grass-grazed ice cream in a new format for the company, speaking to the rising demand in novelties while upholding the brand’s commitment to quality and flavor. Jeni’s pulled inspiration from the classic ice cream sandwiches of our youth — the kind with soft, almost cake-like cookies and creamy, clean ice cream in the center – and made sure that the ice cream truly shines in every sandwich.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Frozen Dessert Sandwiches

Suggested Retail Price: $8.99 per 10.5-fluid-ounce 3-pack

One of the first products in Southeastern Grocer’s exclusive clean-label Know & Love brand to arrive on shelves, Granola Bites are baked in small batches and an on-the-go snack that consumers can feel good about. Available in Dark Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel, Double Chocolate and Blueberry flavors, the indulgent yet affordable bites are not only gluten-free but also contain no artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Know & Love Granola Bites are merchandised on end caps and featured in special promotion offers to promote awareness. At launch, the product was supported with dedicated tags to draw consumers’ attention to the offering.

Know & Love Granola Bites

Suggested Retail Price: $4.49 per 7.5-ounce bag

Little Leaf Farms crafted on-trend Crispy Caesar and Southwest Salad Kits with its fan-favorite Baby Crispy Green Leaf lettuce, accompanied by flavorful toppings and creamy dressings. Sustainably grown using advanced greenhouse technologies and no pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, the kits’ greens are hands-free from seeding to harvesting to packaging, so no washing is required. Additionally, each kit is packaged in 100% post-consumer PET containers that are infinitely recyclable, provide a much longer shelf life and can be used as convenient containers for tossing the ingredients together, without the need for an extra bowl. The fresh-forward brand also offers 24/7 delivery.

Little Leaf Farms Salad Kits

Suggested Retail Price: $5.49 per approximately 7-ounce package

As the No. 1 premium chocolate brand in the United States, Lindt saw a gap in premium plant-based chocolate truffle options. Enter Lindt Lindor OatMilk Truffles, a nondairy option created for consumers who are avoiding dairy, lactose-intolerant or simply eating more plant-based alternatives. The product offers a rich and creamy taste and texture comparable to its dairy-containing counterpart. Lindt Lindor OatMilk Truffles have been strategically promoted to enhance consumer awareness and stimulate retail sales via digital marketing, couponing, free-standing inserts and retailer media, eliciting a positive response from the market. This initial success led the brand to expand distribution nationally.

Lindt Lindor Non-Dairy OatMilk Truffles

Suggested Retail Price: $6.59 per 5.1-ounce bag

Love Beets’ Classic Beet Salad Kit is the brand’s first-ever multi-ingredient product, bringing a dynamic mix of flavors and nutrition to consumers’ tables. Knowing that convenience is key, Love Beets was eager to provide an easy meal hack with all of the essential ingredients to create a well-rounded, nutritious meal in seconds. Containing pre-cooked and -marinated beet wedges, the premium and versatile kit simplifies meal prep and saves home cooks valuable time in the kitchen. Love Beets is also committed to sustainability, practicing whole-crop use by sorting its USA-grown beets and funneling the various sizes into its full product range.

Love Beets Classic Beet Salad Kit

Suggested Retail Price: $8.99 per 13.6-ounce kit

Inspired by the rising popularity of flavor mashups, this first-to-market innovation offers two flavors in one, with a visibly vibrant flavored core, in two indulgent varieties: Sweet Hot Peppers + Garlic & Herbs and Blueberry + Lemonade. Montchevre, a popular U.S. goat cheese brand from Saputo USA, has promoted Duos and other offerings through a brand campaign encouraging consumers to “Make Mischief with Montchevre.” The campaign features a series of comical ads highlighting novel flavors and products inspired by mischievous goats. Further, Montchevre Duos packaging includes a horizontal orientation for its fresh goat cheese logs to accommodate retail merchandising practices.

Montchevre Duos Goat Cheese

Suggested Retail Price: $4.99 per 4-ounce log

Milton’s Salt & Vinegar Gluten Free Crackers offer an innovative twist on the classic potato chip, providing a better-for-you snack made with recognizable ingredients. The Certified Gluten Free, Non-GMO Project Verified crackers cater to diverse dietary needs while containing 2 grams of protein and just 130 calories per serving. Milton’s Salt & Vinegar Gluten Free Crackers launched exclusively with Sprouts Farmers Market last year, going on to be featured in the retailer’s tailgating campaign that fall. The brand also partnered with Bitchin’ Sauce on in-store demos. Given the product’s success so far, Milton’s is now expanding distribution to additional retailers.

Milton’s Salt & Vinegar Gluten Free Crackers

Suggested Retail Price Range: $3.99-$4.29 per 4.5-ounce resealable bag

Crafted with fresh, whole ingredients and the finest Habanero peppers sourced globally, bold yet balanced Melinda’s Fire Roasted Garlic & Habanero Pepper Sauce & Condiment is created through a unique slow-roasting process in which the peppers are delicately charred over an open flame, intensifying their smoky flavor and infusing the sauce with a rich complexity. To drive consumer awareness and sell-through, Melinda’s partnered with retailers like Walmart, leveraging eye-catching displays that sold 1 million-plus bottles in just a few months. Despite its humble beginnings as a small family-owned business, the brand has seen continuous growth in the hot sauce category.

Melinda’s Fire Roasted Garlic & Habanero Pepper Sauce & Condiment

Suggested Retail Price: $2.99 per 2-fluid-ounce bottle

The ALDI-exclusive Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Cookie takes two favorites of the discounter’s shoppers – Mama Cozzi’s Pizza and a sweet treat – and combines them into a fun dessert that needs only to be popped in a warm oven, sliced and served. Expanding the private-brand range into another, sweeter area of the store, ALDI promoted the pizza cookie via social media, print and e-commerce. Additionally, the retailer’s customers shared their love for the product on their own social media pages, helping to drive sales. The pre-sliced item comes in a recyclable cardboard pizza box, enabling it to be easily shared and enjoyed.

Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Cookie

Suggested Retail Price: $3.99 per 9-ounce box

MyForest Foods’ MyBacon was created to compete with conventional pork bacon on all sensory levels: taste, texture, smell, sizzle and sight. The product is made from farm-grown organic oyster mycelium — the root structure of mushrooms — sustainably grown in whole pieces, sliced into strips, and gently processed using minimal ingredients and handling. Additionally, unlike other plant-based products with long ingredient lists of fillers and binders, MyBacon has only five simple ingredients and is free from allergens like dairy, soy and gluten. To promote the affordably priced item, MyForest focuses on in-store demos and sampling events like fairs, festivals and farmers markets.

MyBacon

Suggested Retail Price: $8.99 per 6-ounce package

Made with quality ingredients, Edward Marc Brands’ Snappers Strawberry & Waffle Cone Pretzel Cluster snack blends sweet and salty flavors, as well as crunchy and smooth textures, to create a harmonious eating experience. Meanwhile, the no-fuss (but still visually appealing) package and convenient serving size make Snappers an appropriate item for on-the-go indulgence. The brand established partnerships with retailers to increase visibility and accessibility of the product; this involved strategic placement of Snappers displays in high-traffic areas within stores, as well as promotional pricing. Additionally, sampling programs were held in-store and at events to allow consumers to experience Snappers firsthand.

Snappers Strawberry & Waffle Cone Pretzel Cluster

Suggested Retail Price: $5.99 per 20-ounce pouch

Progress 20% PCR Lawn and Leaf Bags offer compelling attributes that set them apart. First, their post-consumer recycled content reflects a commitment to sustainability, meeting state PCR regulations while reducing environmental impact. Second, their durability ensures suitability for both indoor and outdoor use, providing reliable containment for lawn and leaf debris. The product was supported through direct communication with existing customers, fostering loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals, while newsletters and social media marketing campaigns drove consumer awareness and engagement. Manufacturer TrueChoicePack plans to increase PCR content to enhance the bags’ performance and will also offer various colors, closure styles and sizes.

Progress Lawn and Leaf Bags with 20% PCR Content

Suggested Retail Price: $9.99 per 60-count box

Niman Ranch Certified Angus Beef Grass-Fed Ground Beef combines the renowned quality of the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brand with the trusted humane and sustainable practices of Niman Ranch and its network of independent U.S. family ranchers. The result is a grass-fed ground beef product that’s well marbled, tender, and naturally raised without hormones or antibiotics. Thanks to the strong brand reputation of both Niman Ranch and CAB, consumers have a high level of trust in the product, resulting in high trial rates and repeat buyers. The product has been supported with robust branding on shelves to grab consumers’ attention.

Niman Ranch Certified Angus Beef Grass-Fed Ground Beef

Suggested Retail Price: $10.99 per 16-ounce package

Launched in April, Sprite Chill added a refreshing twist of cherry-lime to the soft-drink brand’s iconic lemon-lime taste, accentuated by a proprietary blend of cooling agents to deliver an elevated sensory experience. Drawing on cherry-lime’s popularity among sparkling soft-drink consumers, Sprite Chill satisfied the consumer demand for innovation by harnessing technology to deliver a cooling sensation without an accompanying mint flavor. According to The Coca-Cola Co., Sprite Chill built on the success of past limited-time products like Sprite Lymonade Legacy and Sprite Holiday Winter Spiced Cranberry. Sprite Chill and Sprite Chill Zero Sugar were available in North America through July.

Sprite Chill

Suggested Retail Price: $2.48 per 12-ounce can

Fusing Tex-Mex and Indian cuisines, easy-to-prepare Royal Ready-to-Heat White Queso & Jalapeño Basmati Rice adds a versatile dimension to any home-cooked meal. Further, each nutritious serving of Royal’s extra-long grain basmati rice contains 2 grams of sugar, 5 grams of protein and 220 calories per serving. The fluffy, aromatic rice is certified by the Standard for Sustainable Rice Cultivation, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to environmentally responsible practices in rice production. Royal showcases the various ways that consumers can enjoy the product through a digital marketing strategy including original social content, influencer partnerships, dedicated email marketing, paid search and digital couponing.

Royal Ready-to-Heat White Queso & Jalapeño Basmati Rice

Suggested Retail Price: $2.29 per 8.5-ounce pouch

Featuring a distinctive rosette design, Reser’s convenient, generously portioned Main St Bistro Signature and Double Cheese varieties of skin-on Twice Baked Potatoes are the only refrigerated products of their kind in the marketplace. They’re also one of the few refrigerated sides that can be heated in an air fryer. Reser’s supported the line’s launch with a comprehensive consumer and trade campaign to drive awareness, trial and sales, including store shelf signage, on-shelf tags, influencer campaigns and meal-planning ideas. The product comes in custom- developed trays with two pockets to keep both potatoes perfectly positioned when the package is merchandised upright.

Reser’s Fine Foods Main Street Bistro Twice Baked Potatoes

Suggested Retail Price: $5.99 per 20-ounce package

Offering 125 snack bags, 100 sandwich bags, 50 quart storage bags, 40 gallon storage bags and 40 quart freezer bags, the Simply Done Variety Pack Drawer Organizer streamlines decision-making for shoppers when it comes to convenience and stock-up opportunities. Instead of hunting through multiple cartons for the right-sized reclosable bags, consumers can now easily meet their food storage needs at an optimal price point. Supported by in-store and online marketing tools that include promotions, end caps and in-aisle displays, the Simply Done Variety Pack Drawer Organizer is continuing to drive growth in the kitchen storage category, according to the brand.

Simply Done Variety Pack Drawer Organizer

Suggested Retail Price: $14.69 per 355-count box

SE Grocers Naturally Better Organic Ready to Eat Pouch Soups come in on-trend Three Lentil, Butternut Squash, Spicy Curry and Creamy Mushroom flavors. Packaged in easy-open pouches, the convenient gluten-free soups are flash-chilled to preserve their homemade taste and prevent mushy, overcooked ingredients. The product line features the only organic pouch soups sold at stores operating under Southeastern Grocers’ banners, driving their respective customers to try the grocery retailer’s Own Brand assortment by offering unique flavor profiles and high-quality ingredients. This strategy is combined with an attractive price point, aided by additional special promotions; dedicated merchandised end caps; and BOGOs.

SE Grocers Naturally Better Organic Ready to Eat Pouch Soups

Suggested Retail Price: $3.79 per 14.1-ounce pouch

Made in a peanut- and tree nut-free facility, Sweet P’s Bake Shop Cake Bites and Cake Cookies from Topco Associates offer unique spins on indulgence. Prominent in-store displays are often all that’s required to quickly move these two treats from shelf to table, according to the cooperative, but the items are also supported by a combination of Sweet P’s in-store, in-aisle and online marketing tools. A clear plastic clamshell package displays the products inside, with a Sweet P’s Bake Shop wrap label serving triple duty: branding each product, providing necessary information and ensuring that the packaging remains closed before purchase.

Sweet P’s Bake Shop Cake Bites and Cake Cookies

Suggested Retail Prices: $3.99-$4.99 per package of 9-ounce package of Cake Bites; $3.99 per 7.7-ounce package of Cake Cookies

Plant-based TiNDLE Boneless Wings were created with the company’s R&D team, which looked to the palates of consumers and solicited feedback from chefs. The wings deliver an indulgent culinary experience through their meaty texture, satisfying bite and rich flavor profile, replicating the satisfaction of traditional chicken wings with a peppery finish. Crafted from a blend of soy protein, wheat flour and Lipi — a proprietary emulsion of plant-based ingredients, including sunflower oil and natural flavors, that mirrors the aroma and succulence of chicken fat — the wings are also a good source of protein and fiber while maintaining a vegan, non-GMO profile.

TiNDLE Boneless Wings

Suggested Retail Price: $8.99 per 8.4-ounce package

The recipes for Tillamook’s Mac & Cheese and Stone-Fired Pizzas were thoughtfully crafted to highlight the most important and beloved ingredient in either type of dish: the cheese. Both frozen meals bring consumers convenient ways to enjoy their favorite Tillamook cheeses in restaurant-quality meals that they can easily make at home. Like other Tillamook products, these frozen meals use high-quality ingredients and nothing artificial. The Mac & Cheese flavors consist of Classic Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar & Uncured Bacon, and Cheddar & Hatch Chile, while the Pizza flavors are Cheesy Uncured Pepperoni, Three Cheese, Three Cheese Supreme and Cheesy BBQ Chicken.

Tillamook Mac & Cheese and Tillamook Crispy Stone-Fired Pizzas

Suggested Retail Prices: $4.98 per 10-ounce box of mac & cheese; $10.99 per 19.95-to-21.65-ounce box of pizza

Tia Lupita Sea Salt & Lime Grain-Free Tortilla Chips were developed as a direct response to consumer feedback and demand, innovating on a classic tortilla chip flavor, but with Tia Lupita’s ingredient-forward quality. Using only mindful ingredients, the Sea Salt & Lime Grain-Free Tortilla Chips feature a blend of the native Mexican Nopales Cactus and upcycled okara flour plus chia seeds. They also contain real lime juice to provide a zesty flavor profile. These non-GMO, gluten-free, low-carb and -calorie chips are also considered a good source of fiber, providing 4 grams of the nutrient per serving.

Tia Lupita Sea Salt & Lime Grain-Free Tortilla Chips

Suggested Retail Price: $4.99 per 5-ounce bag

Tenayo Barbecue Sauces are the first and only Mexican-style barbecue sauces on the market. The Spicy Al Pastor sauce is made with earthy achiote, fiery peppers and just the right amount of pineapple, with 0 grams of added sugar. The tangy and spicy sauce isn’t just limited to grilling – its versatility allows it to be used as a marinade, dipping sauce or finishing drizzle for a variety of dishes, including tacos, grilled meats and sandwiches. It’s packaged in a BPA-free squeezable bottle, providing consumers with easy ways to use the sauce in new and exciting ways.

Tenayo Spicy Al Pastor Barbecue Sauce

Suggested Retail Price: $9.99 per 14.5-ounce bottle

Made in the U.S.A., TrueGleam Peptide Eye Gel boasts cruelty-free practices, and its exclusion of parabens and sulfates aligns with the demand for ethical and safe skin care. The peptide formula and botanicals offer such targeted benefits as the reduction of fine lines, wrinkles and puffiness around the delicate eye area. TrueGleam is also ideal for individuals prone to irritation or allergic reactions. The product’s gender-neutral design language appeals to a broad spectrum of consumers, eschewing traditional gender stereotypes in skin care packaging. TrueGleam accounts for over half of American Essentials’ category revenue, underscoring the product’s key role in driving growth and establishing market dominance.

TrueGleam Peptide Eye Gel

Suggested Retail Price: $19.99 per 1-fluid-ounce jar

Compared with the top-selling national brand in the category, TopCare Orange Flavored ClearLax Powder offers pleasant-tasting, grit-free flavor for the comfortable relief of digestive issues at an own-brand price point. While base sales in total digestive health have remained flat, category growth has come from flavor innovation. According to Topco Associates LLC, its product meets the demand of the 25% of laxative users requesting a better taste and consumption experience. The ClearLax powder relieves occasional constipation, offering a pathway to digestive health at an affordable price.

TopCare Orange Flavored ClearLax Powder

Suggested Retail Price: $10.49 per 8.3-ounce bottle

A strong contender for attention in the allergy aisle, TopCare Mometasone 60 Allergy Spray is enjoying brisk sales. With the “Compare to” message boldly displayed on package, the Topco Associates LLC private brand contains the same active ingredient as the best-selling national-brand product. The non-drowsy, full-prescription-strength spray is a scent-free mist that offers relief from allergies and nasal congestion. Its price differential from the national brand brings interest and purchase, not only from regular purchasers of the national brand, but also from those looking to enhance their allergy relief regimen at an affordable price.

TopCare Mometasone 60 Allergy Spray

Suggested Retail Price: $9.99 per 0.34-fluid-ounce 60-spray container

Tofurky Pepp’roni slices deliver the spicy, chewy and authentic flavor consumers know and love when it comes pepperoni, minus the meat. Designed to be eaten hot or cold, next-generation plant-based Pepp’roni slices are slow-cured for a concentrated flavor and to mimic the distinct taste and texture of traditional pepperoni. Unlike other plant-based pepperoni products, Tofurky Pepp’roni browns, chars and curls just like traditional pepperoni when cooked, delivering an authentic pepperoni experience without animal products. The slices are allergen-, gluten- and soy free and non-GMO, as well as containing zero cholesterol. Sales surpassed initial launch estimates by an impressive 70% during the first two months.

Tofurky Pepp’roni

Suggested Retail Price: $6.50 per package

The 14% Alcohol-Infused SO VANILLA Non-Dairy Whipped Cream product is creating a new category of alcohol-infused adult beverage toppers and food cross-merchandising. Due to its high-quality wine base, Whipped FUSION products like SO VANILLA can be sold anywhere that wine and beer can be sold, providing much higher levels of availability. Additionally, being non-dairy, the product attracts a new demographic of people who have not been able to enjoy traditional whipped cream. It’s also gluten-free and shelf-stable. This whipped cream innovation is educating consumers that the traditional rules of consuming adult beverages no longer apply.

Whipped SO VANILLA Alc-Infused Non-Dairy Whipped Cream

Suggested Retail Prices: $19.99, $14.99, $7.99 per 375-milligram, 200-milligram and 50-milligram bottles, respectively

Pioneering swicy flavor, Utz Mike’s Hot Honey Potato Chips offer snacking fans a craveable new taste that combines the sweet heat of the No. 1 hot honey brand Mike’s Hot Honey with the crisp saltiness of classic Utz Potato Chips. Increasing consumer awareness, the brands collaborated with New York-based Dough Doughnuts on limited-time Mango Hot Honey DoughnUTZ, and the chips were also promoted at the Governors Ball Music Festival. The brands originally planned the chip to be available for a limited time, but due to the success of the product, the flavor became a permanent Utz item.

Utz Mike’s Hot Honey Potato Chips

Suggested Retail Price: $4.79 per 7.75-ounce bag

Zapp’s Sinfully-Seasoned Spicy Cajun Pretzel Stix are generously dusted with Zapp’s signature Cajun seasoning – a mix of spice and garlic, with a hint of smokiness – a unique flavor in seasoned pretzels. They offer a bold and savory kick reminiscent of New Orleans’ culinary flair. The packaging also features iconic New Orleans-inspired designs to connect the flavor to its Louisiana roots, as well as including a resealable pouch for ensured freshness. The pretzels have driven more than $500,000 in sales since their launch in February 2024. Zapp’s is looking to tap into complementary brands for cross-promotional opportunities, which will expand the brand’s reach into new customer segments.

Zapp’s Spicy Cajun Sinfully-Seasoned Pretzel Stix

Suggested Retail Price: $6.99 per 16-ounce bag

Yellowstone Bunkhouse Medium Roast Ground Coffee coincides with the widespread fascination with cowboy culture and cuisine, bringing the cultural phenomenon of the “Yellowstone” TV series to breakfast tables nationwide. Setting itself apart from traditional medium roasts, the Bunkhouse Medium Roast combines a smooth and easy-drinking profile with the rich and full-bodied character usually found in darker roasts. Crafted with 100% arabica coffee beans, it offers undertones of floral and spice leading to a robust center of hearty beef broth, with hints of leather adding depth to the flavor profile. “Yellowstone”’s 19 million TV viewers underscore the franchise’s strong brand equity and engaged fan base.

Yellowstone Bunkhouse Medium Roast Ground Coffee

Suggested Retail Price: $9.99 per 12-ounce package

Wild Planet Wild Tuna Quinoa Salad is ready to eat, with no heating, cooking, additional ingredients, refrigeration or preparation required. The salad features 100% sustainably pole-and- line-caught wild skipjack tuna that’s responsibly harvested to safeguard ocean habitats and marine life, along with a blend of organic sweet corn, zucchini and peas. This chef-inspired pantry staple is planet- and travel-friendly, and can be enjoyed as a gourmet snack, light meal, salad topper or side dish. Consumers simply open the peel-back lid and stir. The packaging is also recyclable, honoring the brand’s commitment to sustainability in every part of its business.

Wild Planet Wild Tuna & Quinoa Salad

Suggested Retail Price Range: $4.49-$4.99 per 5.6-ounce package

With more shoppers drinking coffee at home due to hybrid work schedules, Wide Awake Coffee Co. offers affordable premium-quality coffee at a better value with large single-serve pods of Donut Shop Blend and Wide Awake Blend coffee in a 72-pack format. Made from 100% specialty-grade arabica coffee, the product is well positioned to win on both price point and flavor. Retail coffee is an area of opportunity to reach consumers spending more time at home and less on foodservice. Plus, coffee drinkers can replicate café experiences at home in an eco-conscious way with the 100% compostable eco-pods.

Wide Awake Coffee Co. Single-Serve Coffee Pods

Suggested Retail Price: $29.99 per 72-pack

Everything that Zoup! learned from its restaurant customers over the years – from their flavor preferences to their favorite menu items – has helped create its retail soups. The newest flavors of Zoup! Good, Really Good Soups are made with thoughtfully crafted recipes that deliver high-quality, clean ingredients. For instance, the Chicken Potpie and Chicken Noodle Soups feature a traditional mirepoix and simple herbs and spices, plus antibiotic-free white-meat chicken. Each option is free of artificial ingredients, preservatives and GMOs. The heat-and-eat soups are packaged in recyclable and reusable jars that appeal to today’s consumers seeking more upscale and premium alternatives to canned soup.

Zoup! Good, Really Good Soups

Suggested retail price: $5.99 per 16-ounce jar

BAKERY

Dairy/ Refrigerated

DELI/ PREPARED FOOD

FROZEN

GROCERY

NONFOODS

PRODUCE

MEAT

A-Sha Meteor Noodles with Spicy Dan Dan Sauce

Suggested Retail Price: $15.99 per 4-pack

Amylu Breakfast Bites

Suggested Retail Price: $6.99 per 12-ounce package

Acme Lox in the Box with Cream Cheese

Suggested Retail Price: $6.99 per 3.25-ounce box

Armored Fresh Oat Milk American Slices

Suggested Retail Price: $4.99 per package of 10 slices

Editors' Picks

Reach for the Stars This year’s standout products offer innovation, value and, increasingly, functionality.