R&D Teams of the Year

Each year we ask for nominations from food or beverage companies about their Research and Development Teams. We look for R&D Teams of three different sizes: small business (less than $100 million in sales), medium ($100-$500 million) and large (more than $500 million in sales). We honor the companies each year in both the magazine and on the website. 

Highlights

Consumer Lab
Product Development

2023 R&D Teams of the Year: J. M. Smucker

July 14, 2023
Different product development teams work independently on human food, coffee and pet food, yet find ways to collaborate.
2209-RDTeam-SophKitchen-HERO
R&D Teams of the Year

2022 R&D Team of the Year: Sophie’s Kitchen

Aug. 11, 2022
The two-person R&D Team for our third R&D Team of the Year has cast a net around faux fish, broadening the portfolio to include “seafood” burgers.
FP2208-EatJust-HERO
R&D Teams of the Year

2022 R&D Team of the Year: Eat Just

July 25, 2022
A pioneer in cultivated meats and now plant-based egg replacers, Eat Just’s product development team combines science with art.
fp2207-rdteams-sunopta-HERO
R&D Teams of the Year

2022 R&D Team of the Year: SunOpta

June 27, 2022
SunOpta leads off our 2022 crop of R&D Teams of the Year, with Just Egg and Sophie's Kitchen featured in coming months.
RDTeamGoldenState
R&D Teams of the Year

2021 R&D Team of the Year: Golden State Foods

July 15, 2021
Connected and skillful product development continued last year despite Covid restrictions.
talking-rain-rd-team
R&D Teams of the Year

2021 R&D Team of the Year: Talking Rain

July 15, 2021
The 29-year-old beverage Sparkling Ice added alcohol in the pandemic year.
R&D Teams of the Year

2021 R&D Teams of the Year: Overcoming the Pandemic Product Hurdle

July 15, 2021
The two winners of our annual R&D Teams of the year are Golden State Foods and Talking Rain.
R&D Teams of the Year

Food Processing Names 2021 R&D Teams of the Year

June 7, 2021
Food Processing is pleased to announce the winners of our 2021 R&D Teams of the Year: Golden State Foods and Talking Rain.
Marys-Gone-Crackers-Team-Photo
R&D Teams of the Year

2020 R&D Team of the Year: Mary's Gone Crackers

Aug. 31, 2020
Seeding innovation in the crackers category, Mary's Gone Crackers manages to bake excitement into the thin wafers.
Tyson-Discovery-Center
R&D Teams of the Year

2017 R&D Team of the Year: Tyson Foods

May 10, 2017
Our large-company R&D Team of the Year continues the drive for higher-value processed foods.
Among-Friends-baking-mix
R&D

2015 R&D Team of the Year: Among Friends

June 8, 2015
Two moms with a passion for healthier baked goods pre-mix delicious with nutritious.
RoseCenterSquare
R&D

2015 R&D Team of the Year: Ruiz Foods

June 8, 2015
Inspired by traditional Mexican family recipes, the third-generation company relies on staff and customers for fresh ideas in hand-held and roller-grill specialties.
Bolthouse-Family-Field
R&D

2015 R&D Team of the Year: Bolthouse Farms

June 8, 2015
Agile as a Small Company, Part of Something Bigger