Uncle Squig’s makes frozen Original Gumbo for local delivery or pickup in Atlanta, Mobile, Gulf Shores, and Racine. Built around a love of seafood and soup, the venture pairs its gumbo with tall tales in the quarterly Crawdaddy Chronicle and dedicates a portion of every quart sold to scholarships for students pursuing the performing arts.
Louis Foods IncBorn from a Cincinnati butcher shop established in 1887, Louis Foods produces Uncle Lou’s super-clean pork chitterlings and supplies grocery retailers nationwide, while also developing value-oriented prepared chicken meals under the Hart brand. The Rothhaas family’s fifth generation now carries the business forward, with Louis Foods founded by brothers Rick and Rob in 1997 to bring their family’s signature chitlins to frozen-food aisles across the country. Its Uncle Lou’s Gives Back program has contributed more than $250,000 to community charities since launching in 2018.CINCINNATI, OH
Yee MamaCincinnati-based Yee Mama makes handmade frozen wontons and the sauces served with them, bringing flavors associated with Hong Kong to the region’s markets and kitchens. The company’s wontons are sold through retailers across Ohio and Northern Kentucky, with cooking instructions built around boiling or steaming them at home. Yee Mama also supplies stores wholesale and offers next-day delivery through Findlay Market’s delivery program.CINCINNATI, OH
Pierogies of ClevelandKnown for making every pierogi by hand, Pierogies of Cleveland brings a grandma-style approach to a Cleveland-area food business. Its Richfield flagship pairs a cafe with frozen take-home packs, while the company also serves restaurants through wholesale sales and events through its pierogi bus.RICHFIELD, OH
What a Crock MealsWhat a Crock Meals prepares small-batch comfort food that arrives frozen and ready to cook, turning dishes such as Grandma’s Homemade Meatballs into an easy slow-cooker dinner. Based in Collingdale, Pennsylvania, the company also ships chef-crafted gift boxes and offers individual meals without requiring a subscription.COLLINGDALE, PA