Whole Foods Market recently celebrated its 13th Annual Supplier All-Star Awards in Austin, Texas, on April 17, 2025. The event recognized 16 exceptional brands across various categories, honoring their commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. This year’s winners span emerging brands like Laoban in Frozen/Dumplings to established names like Driscoll’s in Produce, showcasing diverse partnerships that have lasted from 2 to 30 years. The awards highlight the crucial role suppliers play in Whole Foods Market’s mission to provide high-quality products.
2024 Supplier All-Star Award Recipients: A Diverse Lineup of Excellence
The 16 winning brands were celebrated for their outstanding contributions across categories such as seafood, dairy, produce, and prepared meals. For instance, Acme Smoked Fish and Driscoll’s were among the winners, demonstrating the breadth of excellence in the supplier community. The winning brands are listed below, along with their category and website:
- Laoban (Frozen/Dumplings) – laoban.com
- Driscoll’s (Produce) – driscolls.com
- Siggi’s (Dairy) – siggis.com
- Tony’s Chocolonely (Confections) – tonyschocolonely.com
- Acme Smoked Fish (Seafood) – acmesmokedfish.com
To discover more about these brands and their products, you can visit their respective websites. I’m particularly excited about Siggi’s recent launch of their Spiced Pear Fig Skyr, which you can read more about here.
Selection Process and Criteria for Excellence
The selection process for the Supplier All-Star Awards involves a panel of Whole Foods Market leaders, category experts, sourcing leaders, and foragers. The criteria for excellence include product quality, innovation, customer value, reliability, and sustainability. Past winners have demonstrated these qualities through their commitment to their craft, such as Teton Waters Ranch’s focus on grass-fed proteins and Siggi’s dedication to quality dairy products. If you’re submitting a dessert recipe for consideration, you can do so here.
The Impact of Supplier All-Star Awards on Whole Foods’ Mission
The Supplier All-Star Awards align closely with Whole Foods Market’s mission to “nourish people and the planet.” By recognizing and celebrating its suppliers, Whole Foods Market fosters strong relationships and operational excellence. As Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer, noted, “Each of these Supplier All-Stars brings something truly special to our shelves—whether it’s raising the bar on quality, driving innovation or helping deliver more value to our customers.” You can explore more about the baking industry awards and how they recognize excellence in their respective fields.
For those interested in supporting local businesses, consider submitting your favorite local dessert shop to our business directory. This can help promote local excellence and community engagement.
Additional Resources and How to Learn More
To learn more about the 2024 Supplier All-Star Awards and the winning brands, you can visit the Whole Foods Market Newsroom for the official press release. You can also explore the websites of the winning brands, such as Siggi’s and Tony’s Chocolonely, to discover more about their products and sustainability initiatives. For more insights into industry awards and recognitions, check out our article on the 2025 Baking Legends.
You can stay updated on the latest news and developments in the food industry by visiting our site regularly. For more information on Hormel Foods’ retail leadership team, you can read our detailed article here. Additionally, you can explore the impact of market volatility on Smucker’s coffee business here.