Real Pickles

Northeast Grown, 100% organic, fermented & raw pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, kvass, and hot sauce

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Feature 3

100% Solar Powered!

Aerial view of solar array

We made new investments in renewable energy this year! In the fall, we installed a solar hot water system on the south side of our building with help from Spartan Solar based here in Greenfield. We saw instant reductions in our natural gas usage, and we look forward to the system providing all of our hot water in the summer. We hired our worker co-op neighbors PV Squared to install a 31 kW photovoltaic system on our flat roof. The array is made up of 2,000 square feet of panels and the generated power is shared between the two businesses, Real Pickles and PV Squared. Along with our original 17 kW array installed in 2011, Real Pickles will be once again 100% solar powered!

Real Pickles Partners with UMass Scientists to Study Facility Microbiome

AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Amherst food scientists have mapped and characterized microbial populations at Real Pickles’ facility and report that its microbiome was distinct between production and fermentation areas and that the raw vegetables themselves – cabbages destined for sauerkraut – were the main source of fermentation-related microbes in production areas rather than handling or other environmental sources.  Read More

New Small Batch Line!

Real Pickles Small Batch 2018

Our first-annual Small Batch Line is just that: small batches of fermented vegetables! We’ve teamed up with our local farmers to bring you three delicious, fresh and seasonal recipes for 2018:  Spicy Carrot Escabeche, Shallot and Herb Kraut, and Hakurei Turnip with Dulse. Be sure to try them soon, as they won’t last long! Read More

Sustainable Business of the Year!

We are excited to announce that Real Pickles has been named the 2017 Western Massachusetts Sustainable Small Business of the Year by the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts! This award is presented to leading local independent businesses in Western and Eastern Massachusetts who are helping to build economies that are local, green and fair. We are proud to be recognized for doing work that is so central to our mission of helping to build a more sustainable food system! Read More

New Label Design!

Side by side comparison of the old Real Pickles Label an the new label

We are so excited to announce that starting this month our jars are sporting a brand new label design! As we begin our 17th year, we celebrate our deep commitment to the values on which Real Pickles was founded. We think our new labels reflect the mission that drives us every day to build a better food system. With our transition to a worker co-op four years ago, we ensured that our mission would be protected for the long term – that our business would continue its work in support of healthy food, a resilient regional food system, and vibrant local and democratic economies for many years to come. With three new worker owners this year, our mission is going strong! So look out for our rainbow of new labels at your local store, and let’s all continue to work together to help build a better food system! #PackedWithAMission