Last month our Apple Valley Foods U.S. team, along with our Canadian sister company, Apple Valley Foods and our parent organization, Harlan Foods presented our very best at North America’s largest Bakery, Dairy and Deli (IDDBA) trade show.
This year, the IDDBA show was held in Houston, Texas. Some of the largest retailers, who we, as well as Apple Valley Foods Canada and Harlan Foods, sell product to were in attendance.
Hundreds of manufacturers, like us, spend months preparing for this show in order to attract the attention, and the business, of these recognized retail brands. Performing well at these shows can make or break a manufacturer’s reputation and also impact business for the coming year.
Paying attention to every detail and making sure that each product and product sample made available at the show attendees to inspect and try is perfect. The level of competition is to high to make a single product mistake.
However, this year like many previous years, our group had an advantage. Only a few months before the June IDDBA show, we also participate in the American Pie Council’s National Pie Competition (APC). The pies our teams make compete alongside pies from global companies as well as small artisan bakeries. At the APC pie contest, the competition is every bit as high as at IDDBA.
Fortunately, our Food Manufacturing Professionals across North America, including our Chaska team, is used to performance under pressure-and winning. At the APC this year, our group won more first place blue ribbons for our pies than any other competitor. And, for the fourth year in a row, our team set a record in the number of Blue Ribbons awarded, across ALL participant categories!
In 2024, we set a new record with 27 First Place Blue Ribbons!
Each year we take our blue ribbons, along with the winning pies, to the IDDBA show along with the wide variety of products our companies manufacture. This year, that ranged from bagels to organic granola to delicious muffins and even fresh baked cookies!
We also brought some of our newest products including a new line of pretzel snack products, a line of shelf stable cream pies, our iconic, fresh and frozen fruit pies.
Did you know we own our own orchards in Canada? It’s true! And, is part of how we ensure delivery of the best quality pies in North America.
At IDDBA this year, we also came with a new spin on an old favorite pie. We brought to the show a dinner pie to compliment our many dessert pies! That’s right, we were excited to debut a show favorite, our savory Chicken Pot Pie!
Here at Apple Valley Foods U.S. we know pie. We live pie. We love pie. We are really good at making pies.
Our professionals are some of the most committed and talented food manufacturers in North America. Our success at APC, IDDBA, as well as, our continued growth and expansion is proof of that.
It isn’t just the quality ingredients and talent that makes our team here in Minnesota special. It’s the culture we are building that sits upon our three guiding Mission Pillars; Integrity, Quality & Customer Service.
Building a culture of respect, trust, communication, teamwork, professionalism and pride in the tasks we undertake every day allows us to continue to raise the bar in performance…and First Place Blue Ribbons every year.
If you are interested in becoming part of our well paid, award-winning team, then drop us a line here to get started.
Keep in mind though, we have worked hard to build our reputation and are looking to hire only the best!