What does it mean to innovate in food today? For these standout brands, it means more than just adding buzzwords or trending flavors—it means rethinking the everyday. From New Primal’s clean snack sticks to Ground Up’s indulgent yet nutrient-dense nut butters, these companies are rewriting the rules of pantry staples. EZ Bombs transforms traditional Mexican dishes into weeknight magic, while Laird Superfoods turns your morning coffee into functional fuel. Whether it’s a cocktail ingredients inspired by Louisiana roots or a new take crispy onions with Thai heat, this is food that surprises, delights, and—most importantly—moves the category forward.
Toasted Macadamia Nut & Cashew Butter // Ground Up Nut Butters // Portland, OR
Ground Up’s Toasted Macadamia Nut and Cashew Butter is a creamy, crunchy escape to the tropics. Made with buttery macadamias, toasted coconut, cashews, and sweetened naturally with Just Date’s date syrup, it’s packed with flavor and nutrition. Chia and flax seeds add omega-3s and fiber, while toasted macadamia bits deliver irresistible crunch. Enjoy it on toast, swirled into overnight oats or chia pudding, or baked into maple macadamia cookies. It's a nourishing, indulgent way to upgrade your pantry with clean, feel-good ingredients.
What makes Ground Up an Innovator?
Ground Up’s Toasted Macadamia Nut and Cashew Butter is innovating by reimagining nut butter as both a decadent treat and a functional food. Instead of relying on added sugar or palm oil, it uses date syrup—a low-glycemic, whole-food sweetener from a mission-driven, company—while pairing indulgent ingredients like macadamia and coconut with chia and flax seeds for added omega-3s and fiber. This fusion of culinary luxury and nutritional intent pushes the category beyond basic almond or peanut spreads into unchartered (delicious) territory!
Recipes:
EZ Bombs // Hesperia, CA
EZ Bombs transforms traditional Mexican cooking into a quick, flavorful experience—no long prep, no stress. Made with real spices like guajillo, chipotle, and oregano, each bomb delivers rich, complex flavor in under 30 minutes. From tangy Tinga tacos to comforting Pozole or crowd-favorite Birria ramen, these kitchen shortcuts are crafted with love and family heritage. Just drop one in, simmer, and serve. Whether you're feeding ten or making dinner after work, EZ Bombs bring joy, ease, and connection back to the table—one bomb at a time. 💣🌮🥣
What makes EZ Bombs an Innovator?
Traditional dishes like birria and pozole usually require hours of simmering, toasting, and blending spices—skills and time most home cooks don’t have. EZ Bombs reimagines that entire process into a single, shelf-stable spice “bomb” that recreates deep, layered flavors instantly, making once-special-occasion meals accessible any night of the week.
El Guapo Bitters // Cajun Grenadine // New Orleans, LA
Made with Ponchatoula strawberries grown in Tangipahoa Parish, El Guapo Cajun Grenadine is a certified Cajun, Good Food Award-winning syrup crafted with pure Louisiana cane sugar. Perfect for seasonal cocktails, it also elevates desserts like ice cream and strawberry shortcake. Handcrafted in New Orleans with sustainable practices and impeccable sourcing, this small-batch syrup is only available once a year. With no artificial flavors, colors, or additives, it’s a clean, vibrant elixir bartenders trust—and grandmothers save for special occasions. When it's gone, it’s gone.
What makes El Guapo an Innovator?
El Guapo Bitters is innovating by crafting non-GMO, zero-proof bitters and syrups using regionally inspired ingredients and a meticulous slow-extraction process. Their commitment to bold, complex flavors redefines what bitters and syrups can be—making them essential for both mixologists and home cooks.
Recipes:
Thai Chilli Lime Crispy Onions // Mekhala Living
These Crispy Onions deliver fast flavor and addictive crunch in every bite. Made from red shallots and Non-GMO, 100% plant-based ingredients, these gluten-free crispy onions are cooked in rice bran oil for a healthier, golden finish. The punch of hot chili and tangy lime makes them the ultimate topping for salads, burgers, soups, noodles, or even tacos. Use them as a zesty ramen seasoning, a garnish for mashed potatoes, or a spicy, satisfying snack. A delicious, better-for-you alternative to chile crisp—one you won’t want to live without.
What makes Mekhala Living an Innovator?
Mekhala Living reimagined a traditional Asian fried onion garnish into a addictive, better-for-you snack and topping by infusing creative flavors and clean, plant-based ingredients.
Recipes:
White Wine Prawn Pasta with Crispy Onions
Laird Superfoods // Boulder, CO
Laird Superfood Protein Creamer is a plant-based powerhouse designed to fuel your day with 12g of protein per serving. Packed with coconut milk, pea, hemp, and pumpkin seed protein, plus five organic functional mushrooms—including Lion’s Mane and Chaga—it supports muscle recovery, gut health, and lasting energy. With naturally occurring MCTs and prebiotic fiber, it’s a creamy, energizing boost for your coffee or smoothie. Just add ⅓ cup to your drink of choice, shake, and go. Great for surfers, adventurers, and anyone craving clean, sustained fuel from real superfoods.
What makes Laird Superfoods an Innovator?
Laird Superfoods is transforming everyday staples like coffee creamer into functional, nutrient-dense fuel using cutting edge ingredients. They are creating category-defying formats: From mushroom coffee to instant lattes, they blurs the line between supplement and staple.
Snack Mates // New Primal // Charleston, SC
New Primal Snack Mates are the ultimate adult and kid-approved snacks made with all-natural ingredients with flavors like maple, pizza, and apple. Each stick delivers 7–8 grams of protein and just 1–2 grams of natural sugar, supporting focus and energy without the junk. Certified Paleo and Gluten-Free, these snacks are raised without antibiotics or added hormones. With five individually wrapped sticks per pack—plus a joke on every wrapper—Snack Mates make clean eating fun, flavorful, and perfect for every school or office day.
What makes New Primal an Innovator?
New Primal is innovating by turning clean, high-protein snacks into family-friendly staples—using all-natural ingredients, minimal sugar, and meat raised without antibiotics. Their grown up and kid-focused snacks and flavor-forward sauces make healthy eating easy, fun, and accessible for everyone at the table.
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