With our recent win marking four consecutive years as Best of State in Manufacturing/Processing, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on what it really takes to be voted the best—and how we’re always working to improve, innovate, and raise our own standards. To give you a behind-the-scenes look at how that happens, we sat down with Aubrey, our Director of Operations, to hear more about her department’s role in keeping us at the top.

I’m Aubrey Christensen the Director of Operations at Beehive Meals, responsible for overseeing all aspects of facility operations, which includes procurement, production, and R & D.  

Let’s start with the big picture—what does being a Best of State winner in Food Manufacturing/Processing mean to you and the team, especially after four consecutive wins? Winning Best of State in Food Manufacturing/Processing—especially four years in a row—is both humbling and energizing. It’s a testament to the incredible pride, dedication, and craftsmanship that our team pours into every single day. This recognition validates the relentless effort we put into delivering exceptional products, and it inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of excellence in our industry.

One of the biggest judging criteria is overall excellence. How do we define “excellence” in our food sourcing and production, and how do we ensure that standard is consistently met? Excellence at Beehive Meals is about constantly raising the bar—pushing boundaries, striving for continuous improvement, and exceeding expectations. We define it through the lens of communication, quality, and process discipline. Our team is deeply aligned in understanding that excellence is a mindset and a commitment, not just a goal. Through rigorous internal standards, collaboration, and a relentless focus on delivering the best product possible, we make excellence a daily habit, not an occasional achievement.

Can you walk us through how we source our ingredients? What are some of the standards or values we stick to when choosing suppliers? Our ingredient sourcing starts with a foundation of strong supplier relationships built on trust, transparency, and shared commitment to quality. We seek out suppliers who not only provide superior products but who also align with our values of consistency, safety, and customer focus. Every decision we make considers how an ingredient will impact the final meal for our customers—ensuring the quality is high, the sourcing practices are responsible, and the price point makes our meals accessible for the families we serve.

How do we balance quality with cost when sourcing ingredients—especially in a fluctuating market? In an unpredictable market, maintaining a balance between quality and cost requires strategic agility and a customer-first mindset. Our procurement team shines in this area—they research tirelessly, negotiate skillfully, and prioritize quality above all. As we’ve grown, we've expanded our capabilities by sourcing raw ingredients and blending our own proprietary sauces and spice blends in-house. This evolution not only gives us more control over quality but has made sourcing more creative, efficient, and exciting, strengthening our ability to consistently deliver premium meals for $3-4 a serving- this is a cost we want our customers to feel good about.

The innovation and creativity category is worth 30% of the judging. What are some recent innovations in our procurement or food prep process that you're most proud of? Innovation is woven into everything we do—from the creativity of our product offerings to the way we approach process improvement. I’m incredibly proud of how our team embraces change and continuously seeks better ways to serve our customers. One of the most exciting milestones this year was investing in a semi-automated piece of equipment to pre-portion our handmade sauces and blends. Shifting from a fully manual process to integrating automation has been a major step forward for us, enhancing consistency, efficiency, and scalability. Watching our team adapt and thrive through this growth has been one of the most rewarding parts of my leadership journey.

Can you share an example of a time our food prep or sourcing team had to think outside the box to solve a problem? Growing a business is incredibly rewarding, but it also demands constant flexibility and creativity. One challenge we faced was reducing the time it took for a meal to start and finish on the production line. To tackle this, we brought our leadership team together to closely examine each section of the assembly line. Rather than looking for a quick fix, we took a methodical approach—adjusting one element at a time, evaluating its impact, and then coming back to the table to refine the process. It was a true team effort, highlighting how interconnected our departments are and the importance of collaborative problem-solving. Through this iterative process, we were able to significantly increase our line efficiencies and strengthen the way we operate as a whole.

Sustainability and supporting local are a big part of contributing to quality of life in Utah. How do we approach that in our sourcing and operations? At Beehive Meals, convenience and quality go hand in hand—and part of that quality comes from knowing where our ingredients are sourced. We’ve been intentional about expanding our supplier network to include local partnerships, like working with Utah-based ranchers to source beef that’s raised and processed right here in our own backyard. Supporting local not only strengthens Utah’s economy, but it also allows us to offer customers meals they can feel proud to serve their families—full of trusted, high-quality ingredients that reflect the care and pride of our community.

From your perspective, what sets our food manufacturing processes apart from others in the industry? What are we doing that others just aren’t? What sets Beehive Meals apart is our relentless focus on convenience, quality, and innovation—all thoughtfully packaged into an experience that truly makes family life easier. Whether it's developing new meals, introducing unique ingredients, crafting our own signature sauces and spice blends, or launching new product lines, everything we do is with the goal of bringing more ease and joy into mealtime. Our meals aren’t just prepared with efficiency—they’re packed with intention and delivered with care, eliminating the stress of meal planning and offering a real alternative to rushed drive-thru dinners.

"We’re not just making freezer meals; we’re helping families reclaim time together around the table."

In a high-volume operation like ours, how do we make sure food safety and quality aren’t compromised—even during peak times? Maintaining food safety and quality—especially during high-volume production—is non-negotiable at Beehive Meals. We’ve built a culture of accountability and consistency through weekly team training, reinforcing best practices in food handling, hygiene, and equipment sanitation. Our teams conduct daily checks on critical control points like ingredient weights and internal temperatures, and we follow strict protocols for sanitation and cross-contamination prevention. Even during our busiest production days, these standards aren’t just followed—they’re second nature to our teams, ensuring that every meal we ship meets the highest expectations for safety and quality.

What’s one behind-the-scenes detail about our food prep or sourcing that most people would be surprised by—but speaks volumes about the care we put into what we do? One of the most meaningful behind-the-scenes efforts is our initiative to manufacture our own proprietary spice blends and sauces in-house—from scratch. We've developed signature recipes for staples like ketchup, BBQ sauce, and even Worcestershire sauce, each crafted to eliminate unnecessary preservatives, additives, and artificial coloring. This commitment goes beyond just flavor—it reflects our passion for providing real, quality ingredients families can trust. The care and precision our team puts into preparing these blends speaks volumes about our mission to make mealtime not just easier, but better.

It’s clear that winning Best of State isn’t about a single standout moment—it’s about showing up every day with purpose, passion, and a commitment to doing things the right way. We’re so proud of Aubrey and the entire team whose work makes this honor possible. Here’s to continuing to raise the bar and delivering our best year after year!