The Most Famous Food Brands From Every State

Find out which famous food brand hails from your state!

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Wickles Pickles
Wickles Pickles

Alabama

Wickles Pickles, Dadeville

There are a lot of pickle brands out there, but Wickles Pickles definitely stands out. Every jar is filled with crispy chips and more than a hint of spice! They create a signature Southern-style pickle by using apple cider vinegar brine and bright red chili peppers, along with a few other secret pickle spices. Love pickles? This new product will blow your mind.

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hidden valley ranch logo
Facebook / Hidden Valley

Alaska

Hidden Valley Ranch, location unknown

None of the stories disclose the town in Alaska, but plumber Steve Henson was working in the Alaskan bush when he created Ranch. It was a tricky way to get his grouchy co-workers to eat their vegetables! Years later, he moved to California, bought a piece of property named Hidden Valley Ranch, and the rest is history.

Learn our secret to making the best homemade ranch dressing.

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cold stone creamery logo
Facebook/ Cold Stone Creamery

Arizona

Cold Stone Creamery, Tempe

The founders of Cold Stone Creamery weren’t satisfied with the ice cream they could buy, so they decided to make a better brand. Their secret? Making the ice cream in-house every day and mixing it on a granite slab that’s chilled to 16 degrees.

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jimmy dean logo
Facebook / Jimmy Dean

Arkansas

Jimmy Dean Sausage (Tyson Foods), Springdale

Before Jimmy Dean was making sausage, he was a hit country star. After years of singing and acting, he became convinced that he could make the best sausage around. So, he ditched his career and teamed up with his brother to become the company’s main salesman.

Here’s what Jimmy Dean looked like in real life!

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diamond nuts logo
Facebook / Diamond Nuts

California

Diamond Nuts, Stockton

Since 99-percent of the walnuts grown in the United States are from California, so it’s no surprise that Diamond Nuts has been selling them since 1912. Although the company specializes in non-GMO walnuts, they also package several other varieties like cashews, almonds and pine nuts.

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silk milk logo
Facebook / Silk

Colorado

Silk, Broomfield

This famous dairy-free milk producer started as a tofu company and experimented with lots of plant-based foods—like meatballs sandwiches and sausage—before settling on soy milk. Today, Silk makes all kinds of non-dairy milk, including almond, coconut and cashew, along with non-dairy creamers and yogurt.

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pepperidge farm bread
Facebook / Pepperidge Farm

Connecticut

Pepperidge Farm, Fairfield

Margaret Rudkin had never baked a loaf of bread in her life, but when her son developed allergies she got right to it. Her son showed so much improvement from eating the loaves that the doctor recommended Rudkin to other patients, and she began selling her Pepperidge Farm loaves at a premium price.

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RAPA Scrapple
RAPA Scrapple

Delaware

Rapa Scrapple, Bridgeville

Anyone from Philadelphia has a scrapple obsession, but Delaware is so serious about the meat that they’ve hosted an Apple Scrapple festival for 25 years and counting! The most popular brand of scrapple was invented by two brothers, and the company hasn’t changed the recipes since the 1920s.

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Del Monte logo
Facebook / Del Monte

Florida

Fresh Del Monte Produce, Coral Gables

In addition to their large produce portfolio, Coral Gables-based Fresh Del Monte also is one of the largest canned fruit and vegetable companies in the world. You probably recognize their brand in the grocery store when you’re picking up some canned tomatoes for your favorite tomato sauce.

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coca-cola logo
Facebook / Coca-Cola

Georgia

Coca-Cola, Atlanta

Did you know that the original recipe of Coca-Cola actually contained extracts of cocaine and kola nut? The recipe is still a secret today, but it certainly doesn’t contain anything illegal anymore.

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Dole logo
Facebook / Dole

Hawaii

Dole, Honolulu

Dole Food Company started with humble beginnings: the pineapple. Back in the early 1900s, a man named James Dole began to grow pineapples on 60 acres of land. Instead of exporting the fresh fruit, he packed the fruit in cans. He was wildly successful and they expanded their portfolio, growing to a multi-billion-dollar company.

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ore-ida potatoes logo
Facebook / Ore-Ida Potatoes

Idaho

Ore-Ida, Boise

The founders of Ore-Ida originally started their company working with frozen corn, but when they expanded to potatoes they couldn’t figure out how to freeze them. After a few experiments, they accidentally invented tater tots, a product that made them significantly more famous than corn!

Check out our top 10 favorite Tater Tot recipes.

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hostess logo
Facebook / Hostess

Illinois

Twinkies, Schiller Park

Everyone’s favorite cream-filled treat was originally filled with bananas! The company only switched to the now-popular vanilla cream because banana imports slowed to a halt during World War II.

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pop weaver logo
Facebook / Pop Weaver

Indiana

Pop Weaver Popcorn, Indianapolis

Weaver Popcorn started with door-to-door sales, but this Indiana-based company now produces over 30 percent of the popcorn sold in the world. It’s not hand-shucked and bagged anymore, but Weaver still keeps their processes traditional.

Perk up the popcorn for your next party with these recipes.

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blue bunny logo
Facebook / Blue Bunny Ice Cream

Iowa

Blue Bunny Ice Cream, LeMars

Blue Bunny Ice Cream put the small town of LeMars, Iowa, on the map. It may only have a population of 10,000 people, but they make more ice cream than anywhere in the world. That makes it the Ice Cream Capital of the World!

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spicin bbq sauce
Facebook / Orignal Juan

Kansas

Original Juan, Kansas City

If you’re looking for artisanal hot sauces with a serious burn, Original Juan’s Pain Is Good line is absolutely the choice for you. Every sauce is kettle-cooked in small batches, keeping the process handcrafted.

Learn how to make your own homemade hot sauce with our quick and easy recipes.

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hot pockets logo
Facebook / Hot Pockets

Kentucky

Hot Pockets, Mount Sterling

Everyone’s favorite handheld snack is made in the Nestle factory located in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. Did you know that little cardboard packet that comes with each Hot Pocket concentrates the microwave’s heat, making a crispy crust that tastes oven-baked?

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tabasco sauce
Facebook / Tabasco

Louisiana

Tabasco, Avery Island

Little has changed about this famous oak-aged hot sauce since the 1800s. Every seed originates from Avery Island, and every single pepper is still hand-picked. Even the salt used to mash the peppers comes from the island!

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Maine

B&M Beans, Casco Bay

Brick-oven baked beans are something of a New England specialty, and B&M Beans perfected the process back in 1913. The company is now owned by Pillsbury, but they still make their canned beans the traditional way in their Casco Bay factory.

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McCormick spices
Facebook / McCormick Spice

Maryland

McCormick, Sparks

Unless you’re making your own spice blends, chances are good you have more than a few McCormick spices on your shelf. In addition to their signature spice jars, they also make the flavorings for Old Bay, Zatarain’s, Thai Kitchen and Frank’s Red Hot.

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ocean spray logo
Facebook / Ocean Spray

Massachusetts

Ocean Spray, Lakeville

Today, Ocean Spray is a huge cooperative of over 700 growers, but it started with just three Massachusetts cranberry growers in 1930. Their first product was jellied cranberry sauce, but they quickly segued into the juice market.

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kelloggs logo
Facebook / Kelloggs

Michigan

Kellogg’s, Battle Creek

The Kellogg brothers accidentally started their company when they created Corn Flakes, an easily digestible and nutritious breakfast cereal. The cereal was a hit, and it wasn’t long until the company had cornered the ready-to-eat breakfast market.

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SPAM can
Facebook / SPAM

Minnesota

Spam, Austin

When Hormel introduced Spam to the world in 1937, they had no idea it would become an international favorite. It’s so popular these days in the Philippines that the restaurant Spam Jam serves nothing but Spam-inspired dishes!

Learn more about everyone’s favorite meat-in-a-can.

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Mississippi

Barq’s Root Beer, Biloxi

In 1898, Edward Charles Edmond Barq, Sr., moved to the beach resort town of Biloxi and bottled his first root beer. The chemist-turned-mixologist immediately had a following with the uniquely-flavored beverage, but Prohibition really created the sales boom that put Barq’s on the map.

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Missouri

Kraft Mac and Cheese, St. Louis

This iconic blue box was invented during World War II. It was a time when meat and dairy were highly rationed, and families needed something hearty and filling. Kraft Mac and Cheese cost only 19 cents and had a shelf life of 10 months!

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cream of the west
Facebook / Cream of the West

Montana

Cream of the West, Harlowton

If hot, whole-grain cereal is your thing, you’ve probably had Cream of the West. The only ingredient is organic red wheat, and it’s made with 100-percent whole grains that are milled and grown in Montana.

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kool aid
Facebook / Kool-Aid

Nebraska

Kool-Aid, Hastings

Did you know that Kool-Aid brought a family from rags-to-riches, a true example of the American Dream? Inventor Edwin E. Perkins was inspired by Jell-O’s transformation from powder to gel and was convinced he could turn his invention, a drink called Fruit-Smack, into a powder. He did, and became a millionaire!

Did you know that you can make colorful Kool-Aid pickles?

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umpqua oats
Facebook / Umpqua Oats

Nevada

Umpqua Oats, Las Vegas

This Las Vegas-based company sells single serving breakfast cups that will change the way you think about oatmeal. The founders of Umpqua Oats were tired of the oatmeal that came out of paper packets, so they invented a healthier grab-and-go oatmeal.

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stonyfield logo
Facebook / Stonyfield

New Hampshire

Stonyfield Farm Inc., Londonderry

This famous, organic yogurt brand started as a way to fund a nonprofit organic farming school back in 1983. The yogurt was such a hit, the founders realized they could make more of a difference selling their product than teaching students—and the rest is history!

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New Jersey

Hellmann’s, Englewood Cliffs

Mayonnaise is pretty a polarizing topic—you either love it or you hate it, and those that dig it have brand loyalty that runs pretty deep. People love Hellmann’s because they still make their mayo with three simple ingredients—eggs, vinegar and oil. That’s it!

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hatch chile company
Facebook / Hatch Chile Company

New Mexico

Hatch Chile Company, Albuquerque

New Mexico is famous for their chiles, but no chile is more iconic than the Hatch green chiles. If you’ve ever needed a can of green chiles for chiles rellenos, you’ve probably grabbed one of their cans.

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New York

Boar’s Head, New York City

Back in 1905, the Boar’s Head founder was delivering his deli meat with a horse-drawn wagon. Today, it’s still a family-run company but it’s distributed all over the country! In addition to high-quality deli meats, you can also find their signature condiments, like mustard and barbecue sauce.

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Mt. Olive Pickles logo
Facebook / Mt. Olive Pickles

North Carolina

Mt. Olive Pickles, Mount Olive

The Mt. Olive Pickle Company wasn’t originally trying to make their own pickles—they just wanted to brine cucumbers and sell them to other companies. When that didn’t work out, they started canning their own pickles and now they’re one of the largest privately held pickle companies in the country.

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cream of wheat
Facebook / Cream of Wheat

North Dakota

Cream of Wheat, Grand Forks

You might not know that North Dakota is one of the top producers of spring wheat, growing almost half of the country’s supply along with barley, oats and durum wheat (for making pasta). So, it’s no surprise that the breakfast staple, Cream of Wheat, was invented by wheat millers in Grand Forks, ND, back in 1893.

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Ohio

Smuckers, Orrville

You might love Smuckers for their perfectly sweetened preserves, but they do so much more than that. The J.M. Smucker Company also owns Jif peanut butter, Pillsbury and Folger’s—everything you need to start your day out right!

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Thin addictives
Facebook / THINaddictives

Oklahoma

Nonni’s Foods, Tulsa

The leading brand of biscotti in America is Nonni’s Foods. You may also know them as their market name, La Dolce Vita or THINaddictives. Since they’re made without artificial preservatives or flavors and quality ingredients, including real fruit, they make a perfect snack.

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Tillamook logo
Facebook / Tillamook

Oregon

Tillamook County Creamery Association, Tillamook

This farmer-owned dairy co-op does more than just milk cows—they’re famous for making cheese, ice cream, butter and yogurt. If you visit the Oregon factory, you can tour the facility and watch the cheese being made!

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Heinz ketchup
Facebook / Heinz Ketchup

Pennsylvania

Heinz Ketchup, Pittsburgh

Today, ketchup is one of the most ubiquitous condiments in the United States, but it wasn’t actually invented until the late 1800s. A man named Henry J. Heinz added a large amount of vinegar to preserve ripe, red tomatoes and now it’s one of the most recognizable bottles in the world.

You can clean with ketchup—here’s how.

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Glee Gum
Facebook / Glee Gum

Rhode Island

Glee Gum (Verve, Inc.), Providence

This woman-owned business takes chewing gum back to its roots, importing chicle tree sap from Guatemala and making gum the old-fashioned way. Parents love Glee Gum because it doesn’t contain any preservatives, sweeteners or artificial flavors.

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rice krispies
Facebook / Rice Krispies

South Carolina

Rice Krispies, Rock Hill

Rice Krispies cereal might not have been invented in South Carolina, but the man responsible for their branding lived in Rock Hill. Illustrator Vernon Grant created the characters Snap, Crackle and Pop—which is considered by many to be one of the greatest moves in American advertising.

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Babybel cheese
Facebook / Babybel

South Dakota

Bel Brands USA, Brookings

The French-owned company, Bel Brands, makes many of its favorite cheeses in Brookings, South Dakota. You might recognize them from the iconic wax-covered Babybel cheese, tubs of garlicky Boursin cheese or their Laughing Cow cheese.

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Tennessee

Benton’s, Madisonville

Chefs all around the country are singing the praises of Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams. The company follows the same family recipes established in 1947, and they’re known for making some of the smokiest bacon and savory hams in the world.

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frito-lay
Facebook / Frito-Lay

Texas

Frito Lay, Plano

Lay’s recent Do Us A Flavor contest led to some pretty wacky flavored chips, including crispy taco, cappuccino and Southern biscuits and gravy. (We just had to give them a taste test!) It not only boosted sales, but it gave the company a leg-up with millennials, who loved the digital contest.

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Post foods
Facebook / Post Foods

Utah

Post, Salt Lake City

Post is the third largest producer of cereal in the United States, after General Mills and Kellogg’s. The makers of Honey Bunches of Oats and Fruity Pebbles distributes most of their cereals out of Salt Lake City.

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Vermont

Ben & Jerry’s, Burlington

When a couple of childhood friends teamed up to start Ben & Jerry’s, they sold everything from crepes to soup. Over the years, they scaled back and focused on what they’re really good at—ice cream with fun and funky flavors.

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smithfield ham
Facebook / Smithfield

Virginia

Smithfield, Smithfield

Smithfield uses such a unique curing process for their hams it’s actually protected by law. The company can only produce their hams in the town of Smithfield, VA, where the humidity, airborne enzymes and air quality are perfect to flavor the ham’s rind.

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starbucks logo
Facebook / Starbucks

Washington

Starbucks, Seattle

This now-international coffee brand was originally a small location that sold small-batch roasted coffee beans out of Pike Place Market. It wasn’t even started by businesspeople—the original founders were writers and teachers. Now, they’re so famous that we were able to create over 20 copycat recipes.

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ziegenfelder ice pops
Facebook / The Ziegenfelder Company

West Virginia

Ziegenfelder, Wheeling

You might not know the Ziegenfelder name, but you’ll certainly recognize one of their best-selling products—the Sonic drive-in Popsicle. The ice pop company has been around for 154 years, and it has been women-owned for the last 10 years.

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swiss miss hot chocolate
Facebook / Swiss Miss

Wisconsin

Swiss Miss, Menomonie

The famous packets of Swiss Miss hot chocolate weren’t originally invented for consumers. They were exclusively served on airlines since the powdered milk package was lightweight and the flight attendants only had to add hot water to make the drink.

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wyoming beef
Facebook / Wyoming Gourmet Beef

Wyoming

Wyoming Gourmet Beef, Cody

It’s not surprising that the Cowboy state is flush with beef jerky! You can order Wyoming Gourmet Beef from anywhere in the country, except Alaska and Hawaii. Their gluten-free, MSG-free, nitrite-free beef sticks are some of the best in the business.

Lindsay D. Mattison
Lindsay has been writing for digital publications for seven years and has 10 years of experience working as a professional chef. She became a full-time food writer at Taste of Home in 2023, although she’s been a regular contributor since 2017. Throughout her career, Lindsay has been a freelance writer and recipe developer for multiple publications, including Wide Open Media, Tasting Table, Mashed and SkinnyMs. Lindsay is an accomplished product tester and spent six years as a freelance product tester at Reviewed (part of the USA Today network). She has tested everything from cooking gadgets to knives, cookware sets, meat thermometers, pizza ovens and more than 60 grills (including charcoal, gas, kamado, smoker and pellet grills). Lindsay still cooks professionally for pop-up events, especially when she can highlight local, seasonal ingredients. As a writer, Lindsay loves sharing her skills and experience with home cooks. She aspires to motivate others to gain confidence in the kitchen. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cooking with fresh produce from the farmers market or planning a trip to discover the best new restaurants.