We’re Hiring – Join Our Team
Close Search

Simply Artisan Reserve sweeps Blue Cheese category at American Cheese Society competition – second consecutive year winner

Litehouse®, Inc. swept the Blue Cheese category at the 2016 American Cheese Society (ACS) competition, following last year’s win in the Rindless Blue Cheese division.  The Litehouse team won first place for its Simply Artisan Reserve Double Crème Gorgonzola, second place for its Simply Artisan Reserve True Gorgonzola and third place for its Simply Artisan Reserve True Blue. The 2016 ACS Cheese Contest was held July 27-30 in Des Moines, IA.

The Simply Artisan Reserve line is a category leader, and currently is growing by 70 percent. The line of crafted deli cheeses has won accolades by industry experts, retailers and consumers.

“Litehouse has a long heritage of making artisan cheese in a traditional way. Though we are known for our delicious refrigerated salad dressings, our handcrafted blue and gorgonzola cheeses are a point of pride for our employee owners and loved by the families we make them for,” said Margi Gunter, brand manager for deli for Litehouse, Inc. “We are thrilled to earn this top honor for our Simply Artisan Blue Cheese, a longtime favorite of our customers.”

More than 260 cheese makers submitted 1,843 products for this year’s ACS Judging and Competition. Unlike other cheese competitions where cheeses are graded down for technical defects, the goal of the ACS Judging and Competition is to award cheeses that are of the highest aesthetic and technical quality.

Litehouse’s master cheesemaker Marvin Sharp has been making cheese for more than 40 years and crafted the three award-winning cheeses. Simply Artisan Reserve Double Crème Gorgonzola is made from rBST-free milk, aged for 100 days and made with twice the cream of traditional gorgonzola cheeses. Made with rBST free milk, deliciously rich and developed in flavor due to 100 days aging, Simply Artisan Blue Cheese is crafted, flipped, and salted by hand. A two-time honoree, this cheese was awarded first place at the ACS’s 2015 competition. Simply Artisan Reserve Gorgonzola Cheese is handcrafted and vintage aged a minimum of 100 days, resulting in a cheese that is delightfully smooth and creamy in texture.

About Simply Artisan Reserve
With its proud heritage in cheese craftsmanship, Simply Artisan was created by Litehouse, Inc. in 2014 to showcase its wide array of deli cheese products. Cheesemaker Marvin Sharp brings more than 40 years of experience to the Simply Artisan family of products, which includes cheese crumble cups, cheese crumble pouches, center cuts, wheels and shakable cheese. The award winning line has received many industry accolades, including first place at the American Cheese Society’s prestigious 2015 Cheese Contest for its Simply Artisan Reserve Blue Cheese. For more information, visit www.SimplyArtisanReserve.com.

About Litehouse, Inc.
Litehouse, Inc. started in the Hope, Idaho restaurant of the Hawkins family over 50 years ago. Since that time, it has become the leader in refrigerated salad dressings, fruit and veggie dips, sauces, Instantly Fresh® Herbs, blue cheese, and pressed apple cider, manufacturing these delicious products at its three U.S. facilities based in Michigan, Utah and Idaho. Litehouse is proud to be 100% employee-owned and each one of the employee owners is proud to carry on the high standards of quality and innovation, living up to the slogan…Families Making Food for Families. For more information, visit www.LitehouseFoods.com, FacebookInstagramPinterest and Twitter.

About the American Cheese Society (ACS)
ACS is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation, and promotion of artisan, farmstead, and specialty cheeses produced in the Americas. At nearly 1,700 members strong, ACS provides advocacy, education, business development, and networking opportunities for cheesemakers, retailers, enthusiasts, and extended industry. ACS strives to continually raise the quality and availability of cheese in the Americas. www.cheesesociety.org

Sky Valley Brings Its Drool-Worthy Global Sauce Flavors Front and Center with a Full Throttle Brand Refresh

Globally-inspired sauces. Color-drenched bottles. A full-volume relaunch designed for those flavor-chasers who refuse to settle for boooring. SANDPOINT, Idaho - February 25, 2026 — Sky Valley is officially done playing it safe. After fifteen years of fueling flavor-obsessed fans, the sauce brand is unveiling a drool-worthy relaunch – complete with turned-up personality, color-drenched packaging and a lineup designed for unapologetic drizzling, dunking, and devouring. Louder Look. Bigger Energy. Same Obsession with Discovering Global Sauces! The refreshed bottles bring high-contrast hues, hot pink caps, and mouth-watering photography that leaps off the shelf – because people deserve better than bland. What hasn’t changed? The rebellious, boundary-pushing spirit that’s defined Sky Valley since day one. "Fifteen years ago, most households weren’t buying many global products. It's a totally different ballgame now: global flavors are everywhere, sauces are booming, and people are much more adventurous. Sriracha is a great example, it isn’t just for ramen bowls or fried rice anymore...it’s on the table at your local pizza joint, you're drizzling it over eggs and breakfast burritos, adding it to anything that needs heat,” said Caroline Creasey, Brand Manager for Sky Valley. "This relaunch is all about harnessing that cultural shift: showing up louder, on shelf and on plates, giving our fans full permission to sauce exactly how they want. We’re not here to follow food rules. We’re here to break them."

Meet the Flavor Lineup (AKA the Fun Part)

Meet the Flavor Lineup (AKA the Fun Part) Sky Valley is back in the spotlight, and it’s okay to overpour. In fact, we encourage it. Lose yourself in our spicy, punchy, flavor-packed sauces crafted for drenching without limits. All Sky Valley products are plant-based and gluten-free Here’s a taste of what’s hitting shelves:
  • Our OG Red Sriracha: Temptation in a bottle. Sweet, spicy, garlicky, and smooth as silk.
  • Jalapeño Tomatillo Sriracha (Green): Just like our classic Sriracha except it took a vacation to Mexico. Vibrant and fresh with cilantro, tomatillo, and lime.
  • Sambal Oelek: A rush of jalapeño plus teases of garlic and lime. Sweet, spicy, sultry, and impossible to put down.
  • Thai Peanut: Peanutty, gingery, luxurious, and slightly sinful. Made for noodles, spring rolls, and more.
  • Taco Rojo: Packed with juicy tomato, a *kiss* of cane sugar, and a bold blend of garlic, onion, and cumin - great as a marinade or a finishing sauce.
And because we refuse to slow down, two new flavor bombs drop later this year: Mango Habanero Sriracha, a sweet‑meets‑fiery blend made for heat lovers, and a reimagined Sweet & Sour Sauce that brings tang, brightness, and Sky Valley swagger. (p.s. Join our Sky Valley newsletter for the latest developments and upcoming drops.) What’s New With the Sky Valley Relaunch
  • Color‑drenched packaging with bold food photography that makes flavor impossible to ignore.
  • Globally-inspired sauces purpose‑built for no‑rules, no‑limits use.
  • A louder, sauce‑first brand identity made for flavor fanatics who don’t measure pours.
Where to Find Sky Valley The refreshed portfolio rolls out beginning March 2026 at select national and regional retailers including , , , , and with more expansion to come. Suggested retail price is approximately $5.99 per bottle, depending on item and retailer. Join the Flavor Party Explore the full lineup, recipes, and more flavor inspiration at https://skyvalleyfoods.com. Follow @SkyValley on TikTok and Instagram for the latest drops, behind‑the‑scenes moments, and a downright irresponsible amount of drool‑worthy content. About Sky Valley Founded in 2011, we’re flavor-obsessed rebels chasing the sweet and spicy saucy goodness. That’s why every sauce we slap a Sky Valley label on is bursting with bold, global flavors. Sky Valley is 100% employee-owned. In other words, every single person here is locked in, fired up, and actually gives a damn. We’re the ones pushing boundaries and taking risks to make sure our sauces are nothing short of legendary, every single time. Media Contact: Hailey Johnson PR/Communications, Litehouse Foods 208-920-2263 Hailey.Johnson@litehouseinc.com

Game day appetizer ideas that will keep your guests asking for more

(BPT) - Key takeaways:

  • Sports fans are looking for game day appetizer ideas to wow their guests for watch parties, tailgating and homegating for the Big Game and beyond.
  • Ranch dressing is an increasingly popular choice for fans looking to enhance their game day dips and dunks.
  • Refrigerated ranch dressing offers superior taste and quality compared to shelf-stable options, similar to restaurant-style ranch dressing.
  • Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing & Dip is perfect for dipping, dunking, and drizzling for crowd-pleasers like wings, pizza and Ranch Guacamole Bites (recipe included).
From the Big Game to upcoming winter sports and plenty of heart-pounding action on the horizon, 2026 could be called the "year of the sports." To celebrate these thrilling events, sports fans everywhere are searching for tasty recipe ideas for their watch party get-togethers. And what's the most important ingredient to add to your game day shopping list? Ranch dressing, of course. How popular is ranch dressing? The stats are clear: According to a 2026 Instacart survey, ranch dressing is ordered 53% more often nationwide than the second most popular dip (French onion). Ranch dressing also tops the list of most popular condiments, second only to mayonnaise. Some suggest that ranch may now be even more popular than beer. While the iconic American dressing keeps getting more popular, drinking is on the downswing. Almost half of Americans planned to drink less last year, a trend that's especially gaining ground among younger adults. To commemorate its relative rise in popularity, Litehouse has created a fun virtual "six-pack" for their Ranch Dressing, along with the slogan: "Thanks, Beer, We'll Take it from Here." While you may wish you could run out and pick up a six-pack of their Ranch Dressing for real, you'll just have to grab a few extra containers to load up your shopping cart. How can you use ranch for game day appetizers? Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing & Dip is perfect for dipping, dunking and drizzling on easy-to-make crowd favorites including any kind of chips, an array of cut-up veggies and even pizza. Enjoy spicy foods? Ranch dressing offers a cool, creamy contrast to game day MVPs like buffalo chicken wings or bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers. You can also try some of these other options, which all taste even better with ranch:
  • Potato skins
  • Soft pretzels
  • Mozzarella sticks
  • Fried pickles
  • Stuffed jalapenos
  • French fries
Best yet, Litehouse Homestyle Ranch is refrigerated, so it's always fresh and closely mimics that restaurant style ranch dressing flavor that many love. You can find it in grocery stores across the United States in the produce section, right where you're picking up carrots, celery and other veggies to fill up your snack tray.
"Ranch dressing is ordered 53% more often nationwide on Instacart than the second most popular dip
What is the best refrigerated ranch dressing? Looking for a top-quality refrigerated ranch? You can't go wrong with Litehouse Homestyle Ranch, which packs a punch of fresh herby flavor with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Its bold, fresh flavor enhances the taste of any game day appetizer, whether as-is for dipping veggies, or to boost the flavor of sliders, tacos, wings and more. Blue cheese lovers at your next gathering? Switch it up by adding blue cheese flavor into the mix, with Litehouse Chunky Blue Cheese dressing. It's made with artisan blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise and the perfect blend of spices. Where can you find game day recipes featuring refrigerated ranch? Whether you're hosting a watch party or bringing something along to share with friends, Litehouse Homestyle Ranch will always be welcome. It's a tasty dressing that will add zing to any salad, on sliders or in a variety of recipes that are just right for game day, like this one: Ingredients
  • 30 tortilla scoop chips
  • 2 cups guacamole*
  • 1 cup Litehouse Homestyle Ranch
  • 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and finely chopped
  • 2 diced Roma tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup Litehouse Freeze Dried Spring Onions
Directions Arrange the tortilla chips on a serving tray. To each cup, add a tablespoon of guacamole, 1/2 tablespoon Litehouse Homestyle Ranch, a sprinkle of bacon, tomatoes and cheese, finished with a sprinkle of Litehouse Freeze Dried Spring Onions. *Pro tip: Litehouse Guacamole Herb Seasoning helps you whip up a quick guacamole everyone will love. Find this and more recipe inspiration for your next game day gathering at LitehouseFoods.com/recipe. Litehouse helps you add more flavor to any appetizers or main dishes. With Litehouse in The House, you'll have a festive and flavorful watch party. Find their products near you at LitehouseFoods.com/how-to-buy.

Organicville Gets a Fresh Makeover and Tasty Upgrades!

This beloved collection of organic, plant-based condiments, dressings, and marinades gets a refresh including a new line-up of no-seed oil dressings with popular flavors people love. SANDPOINT, Idaho, Jan. 21, 2026 — Organicville is coming in hot this new year with a brand refresh full of good vibes, great taste and an all-organic line-up of products spanning on-trend dressings, condiments, marinades and more. Proudly part of the Litehouse Foods family and 100% employee owned, Organicville is crafted by people who care deeply about quality and take personal pride in every bottle. For over 20 years, Organicville has been all about making it easier for people to eat organically, and that brand promise has never mattered more as the company launches a refreshed line-up of salad dressings free of seed oils and tasty eats more savory than ever. Rachel Kruse, founder of Organicville, explained, “My goal was to provide affordable organic options for different dietary needs. Over twenty years later, I’m proud this mission continues as we expand our reach nationwide.” What’s Shakin’ up?

  • Goodbye, Seed Oils: Organicville dressings are now made with no seed oils (soy, canola, sunflower), so you can enjoy the same delicious flavors you’ve always loved.
  • Fresh, Modern Vibes: Bold colors and an irresistible look to help these delectable products pop off the shelf. The new look and feel celebrates Organicville’s passion for goodness inside and outside the bottles.
The full line-up of revitalized Organicville products and categories include:
  • Organicville Dressings and Marinades: Fresh flavors, organic ingredients. Our new and improved dressings are now made without seed oils and packed with crave-worthy taste—from tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette and savory Sun-Dried Tomato & Garlic to our bright, No Added Salt Italian Vinaigrette. Pour on the classics with our French Dressing & Marinade or go creamy with our Non-Dairy Caesar and Non-Dairy Ranch. Big flavor, organic ingredients, and zero compromises.
  • Condiments: The everyday staples, done better. Our lineup includes Ketchup sweetened with Agave Nectar, bold Dijon, classic Yellow, hearty Stone Ground, and No Salt Added Stone Ground Mustard.
  • Sauces: Weeknight wins start here. From zesty Pizza Sauce and rich Marinara to Italian Herb and Tomato Basil Pasta Sauces, these are the sauces you’ll reach for again and again.
  • Barbeque Sauce & Marinades: Turn up the flavor with our Sesame Teriyaki Sauce and Original Barbeque Sauce. Sweet, savory, and seriously satisfying, each one made with organic ingredients to keep every meal exciting.
Organicville Dressings contain No Seed Oils and No Added Sugar. Additionally, all Organicville products are Certified Organic and Non-GMO. “Organicville has been serving consumers for over 20 years, and watching their needs evolve. It is important for us to listen to our fans and respond with exactly what they want,” said Meryl Winslow, Organicville Brand Manager. “We know people are seeking less sugar in their diets and there’s growing sentiment around seed oils. We ensured our existing fans came with us on our refresh journey, whether that meant trying the new dressing or reviewing the new packaging. ‘Good enough' was never going to cut it. We wanted to give them something genuinely delicious and we’re confident we did just that.” Organicville products are available now at Whole Foods and Sprouts grocery stores across the United States and will be coming to at your local Albertsons/Safeway stores in May. They are also available for purchase on Amazon. To find a store near you, visit https://www.organicville.com/store-locator/ About Organicville: Organicville was born in 2004 from the simple idea of pairing organic lettuce with equally organic dressings, using family recipes to create flavorful options that make organic living both exciting and accessible. Today, as part of Litehouse Foods, Organicville continues its mission to make organic living easy and exciting. Founded over 60 years ago in Hope, Idaho, Litehouse Foods is a leader in salad dressings, dips, sauces, and more, with manufacturing in Idaho, Michigan, Utah, and Virginia. Its brands include Litehouse, Organicville, Sky Valley, and Veggiecraft. Proudly 100% employee-owned, Litehouse is committed to quality and innovation. As Employee-Owners, we take pride in what we make, the partnerships we nurture, and the future we’re building together. And just as importantly, we appreciate what every person contributes - because it takes all of us to do what we do. Visit https://www.litehousefoods.com/ for more information. Media Contact: Ryan Whitchurch Email: ryan.whitchurch@litehousefoods.com Phone: 208-920-2000

VIEW ALL ARTICLES