Cast Your Vote for This Year’s Deli Innovation Award
With an overwhelming number of entries, the inaugural Deli Business Innovation Award entrants brought their best to the table and store shelves.
With a focus on Product, Packaging and Process, Deli Business presents the 12 top-scoring entrants and leaves it up to the industry to decide which item merits the first Deli Business Innovation Award.
This year’s entries highlight several trends, as the deli industry overall looks to inspire consumers to eat healthier, and to develop innovations that will increase sales. This crop of winners highlights innovation that goes beyond just the flavor and uniqueness in the market, but incorporates the story and the people.
The judging, which took place in the Boca Raton, FL, offices of Deli Business, was conducted by editors and staff who are well-versed in the industry.
Only Deli Business readers will evaluate the top-scoring products selected from numerous entries. Please read the descriptions below and cast your vote by June 3 using the form below to choose this year’s winner.
GREEK KISS
BELLE CHEVRE
HUNTSVILLE, AL
Belle Chevre’s Greek Kiss is a 4-ounce fresh chèvre disc artfully enveloped in tender, brined grape leaves, infusing the tangy goat cheese with subtle notes of lemon and sea salt. Upon unveiling, the creamy-colored goat cheese contrasts with the muted green grape leaf, creating an eye-catching addition to any cheese board or first course. Each package is vacuum sealed to ensure optimal freshness, featuring a captivating label that depicts an embrace reminiscent of Greek sculpture.
SNACK PACKS
BROOKLYN CURED
BROOKLYN, NY
The new Brooklyn Cured Snack Packs SKUs are truly differentiated, as they include top-selling beef charcuterie items paired with unique cheese flavors, making these items some of the only pork-free products in the category. With a selection of award-winning beef charcuterie and flavorful, aromatic cheeses, these new products offer a convenient, protein-packed snack with a premium twist.
New Snack Pack SKUs are: Smoked Beef Salami & Gouda: a New York City deli-style smoked beef salami paired with a creamy gouda; Tuscan Red Wine Beef Salami & Rosemary Gouda: red wine beef salami paired with an aromatic rosemary gouda; Bresaola & Gouda: air-dried beef prosciutto paired with creamy gouda; and Bresaola & Truffle Gouda: air-dried beef prosciutto paired with a truffle gouda.
CAPUTO 1-OUNCE FRESH MOZZARELLA SLICES
CAPUTO CHEESE
MELROSE PARK, IL
Caputo Cheese’s 1-ounce fresh mozzarella slices deliver accurate portions at every slice, minimizing waste through the absence of ends, and offers ease of use for operators. The family-owned manufacturer is known for earning the loyalty of customers through its consistent, superior-quality ingredients. Employee enthusiasm and dedication, along with innovation and family pride, are the driving forces in their pursuit of cheese excellence. The brand continues to drive growth in both its company and the industry by introducing robotic manufacturing, innovative packaging and private-label options. They have eased labor and reduced waste, addressing important production issues.
TOPPED ORGANIC HOT HONEY HOMMUS
CEDAR’S FOODS
WARD HILL, MA
Sometimes sweet things have a spicy side, and this hummus is no different. Cedar’s Foods Topped Organic Hot Honey Hommus has sweet notes of honey mixed with the spicy taste of chile. The end result: a taste that adds a kick to your Mediterranean spreads and has quickly become a top-seller and brand fan-favorite. Like all of Cedar’s hummus, this blend is U.S. Department of Agriculture Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project verified, gluten-free certified, vegan certified and crafted with fresh ingredients. This versatile hummus can be used as a dip, spread, or topping for various dishes. It offers a balance of savory, sweet and spicy elements.
NATURE’S GARDEN CHEESE CRUNCHIES
CIBO VITA
TOTOWA, NJ
Nature’s Garden Cheese Crunchies were developed to innovate within the cheese snack market by enhancing the flavor profile of cheese in crisp form. Traditionally, this market has offered simple formats, sometimes with minimal seasoning. However, all three of Nature’s Garden Cheese Crunchie products offer a unique flavor profile, thanks to their thoughtfully curated blend of ingredients that complement the Parmesan, feta or Kashkaval cheese bases. For example, the Oregano & Rosemary Parmesan Cheese Crunchie combines basil, oregano, rosemary and sweet pepper to enrich the taste of Parmesan cheese. These can be added to a cheese, charcuterie or crudité platter, or just eaten alone. This was a major factor in its development process. Flavors include: Crispy Dried Cheese (Hot Pepper & Onion); Parmesan Crispy Dried Cheese (Basil, Oregano & Rosemary); and Feta Crispy Dried Cheese Olives & Tomato.
CHOCOLATE MASCARPONE
CRAVE BROTHERS FARMSTEAD CHEESE
WATERLOO, WI
Crave Brothers Chocolate Mascarpone is a one-of-a-kind sweet cream mascarpone with chocolate and (nonalcoholic) Irish cream. Crave Brothers developed this product from the inspiration of one of its favorite dessert recipes using its traditional mascarpone, Chocolate Mascarpone Pie. Crave entered its Chocolate Mascarpone in various national and international contests, and they are amazed at how well it has scored, including, most recently, as the back-to-back Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker award at the 2022 and 2023 Wisconsin State Fair. It is an easy way for consumers to enjoy a sweet snack or use as cooking/baking ingredient, allowing for creativity and taste buds to take center stage.
ATHENOS WHIPPED FETA DIP & SPREAD
EMMI ROTH
STOUGHTON, WI
Athenos is the powerhouse when it comes to feta. It is widely distributed throughout the U.S. in crumbled and chunk formats. Following the baked feta pasta trend, consumers are more open to using feta outside of salads. And, as the category leader, Athenos is focused on driving growth by innovating and showing consumers how they can use feta outside of traditional salad occasions. To drive increased usage occasions, it has made feta even more convenient with Athenos Whipped Feta Dip & Spread. It’s the perfect product for consumers to put on their sandwiches, wraps, bagels, pita chips or even veggies. Feta is the first ingredient for this versatile product that helps consumers embrace the whipped feta trend at home. The Whipped Feta Dip & Spread comes in a shelf-friendly 8-ounce size and is packed six to a case for easy restocking.
MEDITERRANEAN OLIVE PLATTER
FICACCI
ROMA, ITALY
Ficacci’s Paper Tray Line of Olives and the Mediterranean Olive Platter are innovative products completely free of preservatives. The product’s 100% recyclable paper packaging makes it eco-friendly. It also comes in a ready-to-use format, so fancy that it suits any table. The company aims to elevate the flavor of a beloved appetizer while prioritizing gourmet quality and eco-friendliness. The newest addition to the lineup is the Mediterranean Olive Platter, weighing 1.65 pounds and perfect for gatherings or an Italian-style aperitivo. It features a tray of three separate rooms with three types of pitted olives: Castelvetrano, Kalamata and an Italian Olive Mix with Sweet Peppers, with no preservatives and no liquids. The paperboard is made from 89% paper, highlighting its eco-friendly features.
FIVE PEPPER TURKEY
GREENRIDGE NATURALS
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL
Greenridge Naturals’ Five Pepper Turkey is an all-natural deli meat made from turkeys raised without antibiotics or added hormones, and free from preservatives. It is seasoned with a mix of black, red, chipotle, jalapeño and bell peppers. Unlike major competitors, this is a clean-label deli meat made from turkey that is antibiotic free — it does not contain MSG, soy or gluten. No added nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, artificial flavors or colors exist. This is a high-quality, naturally smoked deli meat made with premium ingredients including five different peppers. This deli meat is approximately 7 pounds.
PEAR, SAUVIGNON, AND HERB LOG
LAURA CHENEL
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Laura Chenel’s Pear, Sauvignon, and Herb Log (4-ounce, SRP $6.99) is the newest goat cheese log developed in collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America’s consulting team. Inspired by the taste of Sonoma’s Wine Country, this fresh, creamy goat cheese is complemented with sweet and earthy ripe pears, the aroma of a bright Sauvignon Blanc, and finished with an herbaceous burst of fresh rosemary. Available in stores this spring.
RETAIL FLAME GRILLED PANINIS
MAMA’S CREATIONS
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ
Mama Mancini’s Retail Flame Grilled Paninis stand out for its ability to be frozen and thawed while maintaining quality. This is achieved through a selection of ingredients that withstand freezing without losing texture or flavor. Added shelf-life provides ultimate flexibility for retailers and consumers. The bread of the paninis is flame-grilled, which is rarely seen in pre-packaged sandwiches. This imparts a distinct, smoky flavor and crispy texture. In addition, the distinct grill marks allow the product to stand out on shelf. The paninis feature 100% flame-grilled white meat chicken breast. The flame-grilling method locks in the chicken’s natural juices, ensuring that each sandwich delivers a moist, satisfying taste. The lineup ranges from classic favorites like Chicken Bacon Ranch to more adventurous, globally and locally inspired combinations like Greek Chicken or Nashville Hot. Packaging is specially designed to allow consumers to see the entire sandwich — both bread and filling, showcasing the quality and freshness.
MONTCHEVRE DUOS GOAT CHEESE
SAPUTO USA
MILWAUKEE, WI
This new category-exclusive innovation offers two flavors in one, featuring a visibly vibrant flavored core. Two flavor mashups are available: Sweet Hot Peppers + Garlic & Herbs, and Blueberry + Lemonade. Blueberry + Lemonade: This vibrant and refreshing goat cheese combines the flavor of tangy goat with sweet blueberries and citrusy lemons. Pairs well with lemonade or white wine to enhance the citrus notes, a Kolsch, or even champagne would be lovely. Sweet Hot Peppers + Garlic & Herbs: A bold blend of spices and herbs wrapped around a piquant core, creating a unique flavor that can be enjoyed alone on a cheeseboard or as an addition to any Mediterranean meal. This pairs well with cheesy crackers, spiced nuts or pickled veggies.
