How do our editors select their favorite food products? First, it must taste delicious while delivering nutrition using minimally processed ingredients. We then look for third party certifications such as USDA Organic, Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Project Verified. Brands that go the distance by also supporting environmental and social causes definitely get kudos.

Our editors traveled to events across the country including Natural Products Expos East and West, Fancy Foods and NPA MarketPlace. Of the hundreds of food and beverage products they sampled, these 56 stand out as the best of 2012.