Local Pickle Maker Real Pickles Wins National Award

The Recorder, January 24th, 2016

Local food maker Real Pickles has won a national award at the Good Food Awards ceremony in San Francisco.

Owners Dan Rosenberg and Addie Rose Holland, who joined about 800 farmers, food artisans, chefs and journalists from around the country in San Francisco on Friday for the Good Food Awards, won for their Organic Garlic Dills.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized for the flavor of our pickles, as well as the positive environmental and social impact of our business,” said Holland after the winners had been announced. “It’s so inspiring to be at the Good Food Awards and to meet like-minded small producers from around the country.”

Real Pickles uses the traditional pickling process — without vinegar — to make its line of fermented vegetables. The Organic Garlic Dills are made with certified organic vegetables from Northeast family farms. The Organic Garlic Dills are available at area retailers, including Green Fields Market in Greenfield, River Valley Co-op in Northampton and Whole Foods Market in Hadley.

The Good Food Awards are given to artisan producers in five regions of the U.S. in 13 categories: beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, cider, coffee, confections, oils, pantry, pickles, preserves, spirits, and honey. The Good Food Awards highlight outstanding American food producers who are making food that is exceptionally delicious and supports sustainability and social good.

The Organic Garlic Dills were one of 197 winners chosen in a blind tasting from over 1,900 entries from around the country. There were 17 other winners from New England, including Shacksbury Cider in Middlebury, Vt., and Cricket Creek Farm in Williamstown. Real Pickles’ Organic Garlic Dills won the award in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and their Organic Beet Kvass was a winner in 2015.

Real Pickles converted to a co-operative in 2013 and is committed to the mission of building a stronger and more sustainable regional food system.