101 Top Illinois Food Processing Companies and Startups of 2021

June 7, 2021
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This article showcases our top picks for the best Illinois based Food Processing companies. These startups and companies are taking a variety of approaches to innovating the Food Processing industry, but are all exceptional companies well worth a follow.

We tried to pick companies across the size spectrum from cutting edge startups to established brands.

We selected these startups and companies for exceptional performance in one of these categories:

  • Innovation
    • Innovative ideas
    • Innovative route to market
    • Innovative product
  • Growth
    • Exceptional growth
    • Exceptional growth strategy
  • Management
  • Societal impact

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Top Illinois Food Processing Startups

Data sourced from Crunchbase and SemRush.

Nature’s Fynd

Nature’s Fynd

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Nature’s Fynd is a food company producing a protein from a microbe discovered in the geothermal springs.

US Foods

US Foods

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US Foods is a foodservice distributor that provides its customers with innovative food offerings and a suite of business solutions.

US Foods

Factor_

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Factor is a subscription-based prepared meal delivery service that delivers dietitian-designed, chef-crafted meals.

US Foods

Chowly

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Chowly provides innovative tech solutions to connect restaurant POS platforms with third-party online ordering solutions.

US Foods

Mondelez International

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Mondelez International is a branded food and beverage company that specializes in snack foods such as biscuits, chocolate, gum, and candies.

US Foods

Rise Gardens

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Rise Gardens is a smart indoor hydroponic gardening system.

US Foods

Protein Bar

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Protein Bar is a fast food restaurant chain serving high protein food and drinks.

US Foods

PRE Brands

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PRE Brands is a food processing company that specializes in providing grass-fed and finished beef products.

US Foods

Here Holdings

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Here Holdings creates food and beverage products in Illinois using Midwest produce.

US Foods

SuckerPunch Gourmet

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SuckerPunch Gourmet is a food company dedicated to bold flavor, all natural ingredients, and a touch of spice.

US Foods

Simple Mills

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Delicious and nutrient-rich baking mixes made of simple ingredients you’ll fall in love with!

US Foods

RXBAR

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RXBAR manufactures and distributes whole food fruit and nut energy bars that are rich in protein.

US Foods

Kitchfix

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Kitchfix creates healthy prepared meals for amazing people in Chicago and surrounding suburb

US Foods

Windward Brands

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Windward Brands offers dessert, ice cream, and frozen novelty food products.

US Foods

The Eastman Egg Company

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They are building a better breakfast

US Foods

Limitless Coffee

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Produces and sells coffee and tea.

US Foods

Conagra Brands

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Conagra Brands is a packaged foods company.

US Foods

Parts Town

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Parts Town is the fastest growing distributor of genuine OEM repair and maintenance equipment parts for the restaurant and foodservice.

US Foods

Hearthside Food Solutions

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Hearthside Food Solutions is the industry’s largest food contract manufacturer, and also the largest private bakery in the US.

US Foods

Morsel

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Morsel is an iOS and web application that connects chefs, sommeliers, mixologists, and their restaurants to media and diners.

US Foods

Ingredion Incorporated

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Ingredion Incorporated is a leading global ingredient solutions provider to the food, beverage, brewing and pharmaceutical industries

US Foods

Mead Johnson Nutrition

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Mead Johnson Nutrition manufactures and sells infant formula, children’s nutrition, and other nutritional products.

US Foods

Kraft

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Kraft Foods is a grocery conglomerate that manufactures and markets a range of food and beverage products.

US Foods

The Janee Hotel Group

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Expertise in Hotel Management The Janee Hotel Group has a proven track record as a hotel operator and has demonstrated.

US Foods

Prommus Brands

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Prommus is a food and beverage company that specializes in the manufacturing, distribution, and selling of vegetable and fruit-based foods.

US Foods

JBT Corporation

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JBT Corporation is a global technology solutions provider to the food processing and air transportation industries.

US Foods

Dairy Farmers of America

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DFA is a milk marketing cooperative owned and served by farmers across the nation.

US Foods

Evans Food Group

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Evans Food Group is a producer and supplier of private-label pork rinds for snack food brands

US Foods

OSI Group

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OSI Group is the premier global supplier of custom value-added food products to the foodservice and retail food brands.

US Foods

Saddleback Chocolates

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Saddleback Chocolates offers premium chocolates and classic equine gifts.

US Foods

Sente Foundry

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Sente is an international startup investment and innovation platform.

US Foods

Vintage Confections

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Vintage Confections specializes in custom lollipops, corporate branding, and gifts.

US Foods

Noon Whistle Brewing

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Noon Whistle Brewing is craft brewery that produces craft beers and beverages.

US Foods

Wrigley

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Wrigley is a leader in confections with a wide range of product offerings including gum, mints, hard and chewy candies, and lollipops.

US Foods

Peacock Foods

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Peacock Foods is a focused food manufacturer and one of the largest providers of integrated supply chain.

US Foods

Ferrara Candy

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Ferrara Candy is virtual tours of the making of Lemonheads, Red Hots, Gummies, Jawbusters, Boston Baked Beans and Atomic Fireballs.

US Foods

Relish Works

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Relish Works is an innovation hub focused on challenging the status quo and pioneering the next evolution of the food industry.

US Foods

Potbelly Sandwich Works

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Potbelly Sandwich Works is a restaurant chain that sells sandwiches through its shops while providing pick-up facilities for online orders.

US Foods

Pactiv

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Pactiv manufactures and distributes food packaging and foodservices.

US Foods

The Spice House

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The Spice House is a provider of food and beverage industry for spices,herbs, and seasonings.

US Foods

Matrix Sciences International

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Matrix Sciences International can assist your company in potentially any area of Quality Assurance or Research & Development services.

US Foods

Koch Foods

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Koch Foods is proud to be one of the largest poultry processors in the United States.

US Foods

Keebler Foods

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Keebler Foods is a food processing company that offers branded cookies and crackers in the United States.

US Foods

Bevolution Group

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Bevolution Group is a leading manufacturer of shelf stable and frozen foodservice beverage products.

US Foods

The NutraSweet Company

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NutraSweet brand sweetener was discovered in 1965 at G.D. Searle and Company by researcher James Schlatter.

US Foods

Silva International

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Silva International is a producer of spice ingredients, such as dehydrated vegetables, herbs, and fruits.

US Foods

Conway Import Co. Inc

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Conway Import manufactures quality salad dressings and sauces for the finest hotels, airlines, cruise lines and restaurants internationally.

US Foods

I Heart Keenwah

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I Heart Keenwah is a quinoa company, dedicated to bringing delicious snacks and pantry staples to the market.

US Foods

Planters

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Planters is a snack food brand that produces nut based snacks.

US Foods

Tootsie Roll

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Tootsie Roll is a food and beverage company located in Chicago.

US Foods

Preferred Meals

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Preferred Meals is a provider of meals, fresh-prepared snacks and frozen-prepared snacks, entrees, and complete meals.

US Foods

Hillshire Brands

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Hillshire Brands Company (NYSE: HSH) is a leader in branded foods.

US Foods

East Balt Bakeries

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East Balt Bakeries produces buns, bagels, English muffins, tortillas, breads, and specialty bakery products.

US Foods

Hill & Valley

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Hill & Valley is largest provider of Sugar Free and No Sugar Added bakery items.

US Foods

Milkadamia

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Milkadamia is an online marketplace for food and beverage products.

US Foods

Food Evolution

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Food Evolution specializes in custom food production, pizza dough, gourmet grab, and boxed lunches.

US Foods

Frontera Foods Inc.

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Frontera Foods is a packaged foods businesses processing company.

US Foods

Vosges Haut-Chocolat

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Vosges Haut-Chocolat is a Chicago-based luxury chocolate maker.

US Foods

Sprout Living

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Sprout Living is a Company the purest organic and plant-based functional foods and supplements.

US Foods

Wholesome Goodness

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Wholesome Goodness is dedicated to providing you and your family with simple, naturally delicious, high quality foods that are affordable.

US Foods

Benestar Brands

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Benestar Brands operates as a holding company for a diverse range of leading snack products, including pork rinds and corn tortilla chips.

US Foods

Urban Accents

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Urban Accents is a specialty food company that manufactures a full collection of products designed for use in gourmet cooking.

US Foods

Gold Standard Baking

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Gold Standard Baking is a full service bakery specializing in a variety of laminated dough products.

US Foods

National Pasteurized Eggs

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National Pasteurized Eggs is a large scale producer of water bath pasteurized eggs.

US Foods

Cozzini

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Cozzini designs and manufactures food processing products.

US Foods

Matt’s Cookie

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Matt’s Cookie, delicious local, gluten-free, organic cookies.

US Foods

Conagra Brands – Wesson Oil Brand

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Wesson oil is a provider of cooking oil. It is useful for Grilling, Broiling, and Frying.

US Foods

M&M Equipment Corp

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For nearly 30 years M&M Equipment Corp has operated as an industry leading food processing equipment dealer.

US Foods

CookTek

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CookTek designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets induction cooking and heated delivery systems for commercial kitchens worldwide.

US Foods

Kraft Macaroni Cheese

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From the classic blue box that started it all, to the delicious homemade taste of KRAFT HOMESTYLE, find the KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese product

US Foods

Hometown Food Company

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Hometown Food Company is the producer and retailer of baking products in the United States.

US Foods

Affy Tapple

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Affy Tapple is a producer and distributor of caramel dipped apples.

US Foods

Azteca Foods

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Azteca Foods specializes in the refrigerated tortilla business with custom product resource services and distribution of food products.

US Foods

Belmont Sausage Company

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Belmont Sausage Company is a family-owned meat and poultry processing facility located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

US Foods

Nation Pizza and Foods

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Nation Pizza and Foods, LLC is a food production & manufacturing firm that produces baking and prepared food products.

US Foods

Zuercher & Co.

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Zuercher & Co. is an importer and distributor of fine cheese products.

US Foods

Food Marketing Support Services

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Food Marketing Support services provide claims support, focus group, sensory analysis, investment, product & consumer research development.

US Foods

Crunchmaster

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Crunchmaster Crackers. In the Crunchmaster Community, everyone lives happy, healthy and gluten free.

US Foods

Ralcorp

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Ralcorp Frozen Bakery Products, the leading provider of quality frozen bakery products to foodservice, retail and in-store bakeries.

US Foods

Progressive Grocer

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Progressive Grocer, the voice of the retail food industry for nearly 100 years.

US Foods

Sulpice Chocolate

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Sulpice Chocolat is a line of artisan, hand-painted chocolate bars. We are fair trade, non-GMO, gluten-free, and use vegan dark chocolate.

US Foods

Labriola Baking Co

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Labriola Baking Co is a premium bakery of breads and artisan soft pretzels.

US Foods

AH Blackmore

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Management Consulting – Manufacturing & Assembly

US Foods

Oak State Products

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Oak State Products is manufacturer of cookies, bars and other baked foods.

US Foods

Jones Natural Chews

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A Rockford, Ill.-based maker of all-natural dog treats and chews

US Foods

Mama Tish’s International Foods

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Mama Tish’s International Foods, a manufacturer and distributor of frozen juice products such as Italian ices and sorbets.

US Foods

Prater Industries

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Global leader in manufacturing processing equipment and systems for size reduction, separation, metering, compacting, and batch weighing.

US Foods

Chopbox

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Chopbox is a ready-to-cook meal delivery service that offers a wide variety of recipes.

US Foods

SOL ELIXIRS

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Sol Elixirs provides botanical beverages.

US Foods

Lobster Gram

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Lobster Gram is a food and beverage company located in Chicago.

US Foods

Siemer Milling Company

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Siemer Milling Company supplies wheat flour, wheat germ, bakery flours, cracker flour, muffin flour and bran to the foodservice industries.

US Foods

Mac & Cheese Productions

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Mac & Cheese Productions offers opportunities for individuals to grow in environments they feel comfortable.

US Foods

Sunshine Biscuits

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Sunshine Biscuits was an independent American baker of cookies, crackers, and cereals.

US Foods

Pillsbury Baking

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Pillsbury Baking is a Food & Beverages company.

US Foods

Doumak

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Doumak is a producer of marshmallows.

US Foods

Mt. Pulaski Products

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Mt. Pulaski Products engages in custom grinding and pelletizing biomass crops in central Illinois.

US Foods

Upper Crust Catering

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Upper Crust Catering is a provider of excellent homemade cuisine, prepared by Chef Mitch Morrell.

US Foods

Proven Partners

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Proven Partners is a privately owned entity operating as an external Provider to Food, Nutrition and Medical Food companies.

US Foods

R&F Laboratories

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Providing custom, basic, and applied microbiological services pertaining to the food industry.

US Foods

IL Corn

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IL Corn is a food production company that spend every day working hard to make your farm profitable for your family’s future.

US Foods

Meatmill

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Meatmill is the source of countless selections of the finest and freshest meats, seafood and specialty deli, delivered same day!

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