About

Annie's Homegrown is a natural and organic food brand founded in 1989 by Annie Withey and Andrew Martin in Hampton, Connecticut. The company started with a single product, Annie's Shells & White Cheddar macaroni and cheese, created as a natural alternative to conventional boxed mac and cheese. Annie Withey, who had previously co-founded Smartfood popcorn, brought her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to wholesome ingredients to the new venture. The brand's purple box adorned with the iconic Bernie the Bunny logo quickly became a symbol of natural, family-friendly food in grocery stores across America. Annie's product line has expanded dramatically to include organic pasta, snack crackers, fruit snacks, granola bars, salad dressings, and frozen meals, all made with organic and non-GMO ingredients. General Mills acquired Annie's Homegrown in 2014 for approximately 820 million dollars, recognizing the brand's strong position in the rapidly growing natural foods segment. Under General Mills, Annie's has continued to expand its reach while maintaining its commitment to organic farming, sustainable sourcing, and regenerative agriculture practices. The brand's mission extends beyond food to include supporting organic farming communities and educating consumers about sustainable food systems. Annie's remains a top choice for parents seeking healthier convenience foods for their families.

Food & Beverage Brands

Annie Homegrown is a beloved natural food brand best known for its organic mac and cheese adorned with the iconic Bernie the Bunny logo, offering healthier alternatives to conventional packaged foods.

Organic & Natural Food Brands

Annie's Homegrown is a leading organic food brand known for its natural macaroni and cheese, snack crackers, fruit snacks, and other family-friendly products.

Snack Brands

Annie Homegrown produces a popular range of organic snack products including crackers, fruit snacks, and granola bars, all made with non-GMO ingredients that parents trust for healthier lunchbox options.

Brand Details

Industry Natural & Organic Foods
Founded 1989
Headquarters Berkeley, California, USA
Parent Company General Mills
3.8
1 reviews
Packaging Design
4.2
Ingredient Quality
4.2
Taste Quality
4
Brand Innovation
3.9
Value for Money
3.8
Product Consistency
3.4
Claude Opus 4.6
AI Review
3.8/5

Annie Homegrown built a beloved brand on a simple insight: parents want convenience foods they can feel good about giving their kids. The iconic purple box and Bernie the Bunny logo carry real emotional equity with families, and the core mac and cheese products deliver noticeably better taste and ingredients than conventional alternatives. The expansion into snack crackers, fruit snacks, and granola bars has been largely successful, creating a mini-ecosystem of trusted lunchbox staples. Sustainability commitments around organic farming and regenerative agriculture add substance to the mission. The General Mills acquisition in 2014 brought scale and distribution power, making Annie products widely available in mainstream grocery. However, the corporate ownership raises fair questions about brand authenticity -- can a General Mills subsidiary truly maintain the indie ethos that built the brand? Some long-time fans report subtle quality shifts post-acquisition. Pricing sits above conventional brands but below ultra-premium organic competitors, which is a reasonable sweet spot. Annie Homegrown remains a strong choice for health-conscious families, though the brand charm feels increasingly corporate.

Ingredient Quality
4.2
Packaging Design
4.2
Taste Quality
4
Brand Innovation
3.9
Value for Money
3.8
Product Consistency
3.4
Feb 18, 2026
Annie's Homegrown Screenshot

Price: Mid-range to Premium

Added: Feb 16, 2026

annies.com