PLMA 'Salutes' Nearly 100 Top Private Label Products

Nearly 100 products featuring the best-of-the-best in the world of private label were honored by the Private Label Manufacturers Association in its 2023 Salute to Excellence.

The winners were announced at PLMA’s 2023 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago. Created in 1986, the annual awards program recognizes outstanding food and nonfood products introduced within the past year by supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchandisers, convenience stores, online retailers, wholesalers and more.

This year, nearly 750 products were submitted for consideration by 53 North American-based retailers. 

“PLMA is thrilled to celebrate the winning retailers for their commitment to store brand product and packaging excellence,” said Peggy Davies, president of PLMA. “From innovations in flavors and ingredients to vitamin-enriched health and wellness products, the Salute to Excellence award winners underscore the important role of store brands.” 

Submissions were sampled and evaluated by a panel of professional and consumer judges on several criteria, including taste, product concept, packaging, and value for money.  

Among the winners: 

Gluten-Free Goodness: 

• Open Nature Cauliflower Crust Garlic Chicken Alfredo Pizza from Albertsons Companies 
• Nice! Gluten-Free Vanilla Crème Cookies, Walgreens 

Specialty Sauces, Rubs and Condiments: 

• Lowes Foods Premium Brown Bag “Truffle Your Feathers” Black Garlic Truffle Sauce, Lowes Foods 
• Great Value Blood Orange Balsamic Glaze with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, Walmart Inc 
• Bowl & Basket Specialty™ Smokey Candied Bacon Sriracha Rub, Wakefern Food Corp. 

Fancy Breakfast Foods: 

• Nature's Basket Sweet Potato Pancake and Waffle Mix, Giant Eagle 
• Irresistibles Pina Colada-Flavored Muffins, Metro Richelieu Inc. 
• Thrive Market Organic Infused Maple Syrup, Warm Pumpkin Spice, Thrive Market 
• Good & Gather Blueberry Muffins with Zucchini and Oats, Target 

Global Tastes: 

• Aplenty Asian-Style Chicken and Vegetable Potstickers, Amazon 
• Yesway Chamoy Chili Peach Rings (candy), Yesway Convenience Stores 
• SE Grocers Naturally Better Organic Mexican-Style Street Corn-Flavored Corn Chips, Southeastern Grocers 
• Crav’n Flavor Single-Serve Miso Chicken Ramen Soup Bowl, Topco Associates LLC 

Wellness Cleanses/Powders: 

• Sprouts Farmers Market Regenerative Organic Liver Cleanse, Sprouts Farmers Market 
• 365 by Whole Foods Market Effervescent Vitamin C Powder, Kiwi-Strawberry, Whole Foods Market 

The winning products are on display at the annual Private Label show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. The full list of winners can be viewed at www.plmawinners.com.