Amy’s Kitchen Takes Top Spot for 2024 Plant-Based Frozen Product

Amy’s Kitchen’s Family Size Broccoli Cheddar Bake clinched the title of Best Plant-Based Frozen Product of the Year at the 2024 Mindful Awards. This recognition celebrates Amy’s Kitchen’s commitment to delivering high-quality, plant-based options to consumers nationwide.

“We are thrilled to share that our Family Size Broccoli Cheddar Bake was selected as Best Plant-Based Frozen Product of the Year by the 2024Mindful Awards!” Amy’s Kitchen posted on its Linkedin. “The mission of the Mindful Awards program is to honor conscious [consumer packaged goods] companies and products that offer healthier choices with an environmental and social consciousness in mind.”

The Mindful Awards Program, an independent platform recognizing conscious companies and products in the consumer packaged goods sector, aims to highlight CPG companies and products that prioritize healthier choices while maintaining environmental and social awareness.

The Mindful Awards evaluate various factors, including the use of natural or organic ingredients, transparency toward consumers, fair wage practices for workers, sustainable business practices, use of recycled, recyclable, or upcycled materials, and overall product quality.

“A company’s ethos is playing more and more into the decision-making process as buyers evaluate a product in this crowded market. A focus on health, transparency, responsibility, and understanding the impact of their actions on humanity put these companies ahead of the pack,” Travis Grant, managing director of the Mindful Awards, stated in a press release.

“We’re thrilled that the 2024 Mindful Award featured winners represent conscious companies who purposely strive to make a difference and through their actions and innovation, create products that shine above the rest. We couldn’t be prouder of the 2024 winners paving the way for the future.”

Broccoli Cheddar Bake: A Plant-Based Triumph

The award-winning Family Size Broccoli Cheddar Bake exemplifies Amy’s Kitchen’s goal of creating satisfying plant-based alternatives. This dish combines organic broccoli with a creamy, dairy-free cheddar-style sauce, delivering a comforting meal without compromising on taste or texture.

“We really make food, again, like you would expect to see it being made by a cook or a restaurant or even a home kitchen,” says Paul Schiefer, Amy’s Kitchen president.

The Mindful Awards, known for recognizing excellence in conscious consumer products, praised Amy’s Kitchen for its commitment to quality ingredients and sustainable practices. This accolade reinforces the brand’s position as a leader in the plant-based frozen food category.

Amy’s Kitchen’s success stems not only from its delicious products, but also from its unwavering commitment to sustainability. The company sources organic ingredients, which, according to Schiefer, bring “much higher levels of stored carbon in the soil and 30%, 40% higher levels of biodiversity.”

Furthermore, Amy’s Kitchen’s vegetarian focus significantly reduces its carbon footprint compared to meat-based alternatives. Schiefer noted, “When we sell an Amy’s Veggie Burger, it’s only 10% of the carbon footprint of a traditional meat-based offering.”

The company’s dedication to environmental stewardship extends to its packaging. Approximately 75% of Amy’s packaging is either compostable or recyclable, with plans to reach 100% in the near future. This holistic mindset of sustainability aligns with the values of mindful consumers who seek products that taste good and do good.

Beyond Frozen Foods: Amy’s Kitchen’s Expanding Horizons

While the Broccoli Cheddar Bake takes center stage with its recent award, Amy’s Kitchen continues to impress in other categories as well. The company’s Medium Salsa earned a spot in Good Housekeeping‘s 2024 Best Snack Awards, showcasing the brand’s versatility beyond frozen meals.

Good Housekeeping praised Amy’s Organic Medium Spicy Tomato Salsa for its quality ingredients and balanced flavor profile. Made with organic sun-sweetened tomatoes, chopped onions, cilantro, garlic, and jalapenos, this salsa demonstrates Amy’s Kitchen’s attention to detail and commitment to taste.

One taste tester remarked, “The flavor was incredible. I typically do not like salsa but will absolutely buy this again. It wasn’t too heavy on any particular ingredient but was the perfect blend of everything.” This feedback echoes the sentiments of many Amy’s Kitchen fans who appreciate the brand’s ability to create flavorful, well-balanced products across various categories.

Amy’s Kitchen’s success extends beyond its products to its treatment of employees and community engagement. The company provides comprehensive health care to employees and their families, offers scholarships to employees’ children, and donates millions of meals to communities in need.

Combining quality products with ethical practices resonates with consumers who seek brands that align with their values. The recent awards and recognitions demonstrate Amy’s Kitchen’s enduring appeal in an increasingly conscious marketplace.

From its humble beginnings at the kitchen table of co-founders Andy and Rachel Berliner to its current status as a beloved national brand, Amy’s Kitchen remains true to its founding principles of quality, taste, and sustainability.

From Kitchen Table to Grocery Shelves: The History of Amy’s Kitchen

The journey of Amy’s Kitchen began in 1987 when the Berliners, expecting a daughter, struggled to find convenient, organic vegetarian meals. This challenge sparked an idea that would transform the frozen food industry. Starting from their own kitchen, the Berliners crafted their first product — a vegetable potpie — using organic ingredients and homestyle cooking methods.

The company’s humble beginnings reflect a genuine passion for wholesome, flavorful food. The Berliners’ commitment to quality and taste quickly resonated with consumers. Their dedication to using organic ingredients and avoiding artificial additives set Amy’s Kitchen apart in a market dominated by heavily processed frozen meals.

Over the years, Amy’s Kitchen has expanded its product line while maintaining its core values. The company now offers a wide range of frozen meals, canned soups, salsas, and other convenience foods, all adhering to the original vision of providing delicious, organic vegetarian options.

“We feel that at every step of the way, all the love that people put into the food, the farmers, the processors, the people working in the office, the people making the food, the shipping, everything,” Rachel Berliner told online training provider Talented Ladies Club in an interview. “We just try to make it a very loving experience and caring experience.”