Michigan’s Lesley Elizabeth Inc. Makes Gourmet Flavors Affordable
In partnership with: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Since its founding in 1991, Lesley Elizabeth Inc. has handmade seasonings and assorted culinary products free of harmful additives, fillers, artificial flavors, chemicals and anti-caking agents. Based in Lapeer, the company seeks out the world’s best ingredients, sourced from Modena, Italy, to Kalamazoo, Michigan, to achieve its gourmet flavor.
“The majority of our ingredients are imported – both internationally and domestically,” says Heather Woodfield, senior manager at Lesley Elizabeth. “We specialize in combining these high-quality ingredients to create unique cooking products that set us apart from other spice makers.”
Lesley Elizabeth’s dedicated workforce, comprised of only eight Michigan natives plus the company owner, runs the 20,000-square-foot facility, fulfilling ingredient mixing, bottling, labeling, sealing and shipping. On average, Lesley Elizabeth produces more than 600,000 units annually using approximately 135,000 pounds of raw ingredients and 16,000 gallons of oil and vinegar.
In recent years, the company has shifted to eco-conscious operations to lessen its carbon footprint.
“We eliminated our foam machine and now use recyclable shipping bubbles,” Woodfield says. “Plus, we’re mindful about minimizing waste, as with box size, and strongly promote the importance of recycling BPA-free plastics.”
Lesley Elizabeth offers a diverse line of 72 different kinds of allnatural dip mixes, flavored sugars, oils, seasoned salts, spice blends, rubs, pesto mixes and vinegar.
“Our Wicked Good line is the bestseller,” Woodfield says. It includes a signature salt, pepper, rub and salt-free seasoning. “Customers attest that our exclusive salt becomes a pantry and tabletop staple. We use a flake-like salt versus a chunk. And it’s elevated with hints of garlic, onion, black pepper, Italian seasoning and ginger.”
The sugar line, which infuses real fruits, also satisfies with unexpected notes.
“Customers are pleasantly surprised by the balance of sweet and savory,” Woodfield says. “Replacing white sugar with one of our fruit sugars takes a recipe to the next level.”
Home cooks can also easily integrate any of the sugars into rubs, sauces and cocktail finishes. For example, serve a bloody mary in a Maple Bacon Sugar-rimmed glass, or take pancakes up a notch with Blueberry Honey Sugar.
These distinctive spices and seasonings are available on the Lesley Elizabeth website and on Amazon, as well as at Walmart and about 40 retailers statewide. Customers can navigate dietary preferences (i.e., low-carb, saltfree, sugar-free, plant-based, etc.) online and explore companyoriginal recipes.
“Not only do we sell retail, but we also have a wholesale and private label program,” Woodfield says. “Starting in 2023, we will be accepting applications for co-packing and custom projects.”
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