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Explore Vital Essentials awards and accolades in pet nutrition. Discover why our raw food is recognized as a top choice among pet owners and experts.

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Awards

Green Bay, WI – August 12, 2026 <a href="https://www.carnivoremeat.com/" target="_self">Carnivore Meat Company®</a>, the manufacturer behind premium raw pet food brand Vital Essentials®, has been certified as a Great Place To Work.

Carnivore Meat Company is a leader in supporting long and healthy lives for our furry friends through premium quality, raw frozen and freeze-dried pet food and treats certified as a great place to work.

Carnivore Meat Co: Great Place To Work

Carnivore Meat Company® Certified as Great Place To Work

Carnivore Meat Company® Certified as Great Places To Work

Green Bay, WI – August 12, 2026 – <a href="https://www.carnivoremeat.com/" target="_self">Carnivore Meat Company®</a>, the award-winning manufacturer behind premium raw pet food brand Vital Essentials®, has once again been named to the prestigious <a href="https://www.inc.com/profile/carnivore-meat-company" target="_self">Inc. 5000 list</a>, marking its seventh consecutive year among the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. The company’s recognition is driven by sustained growth trajectory, continued retail expansion, and product innovation that’s modernizing the raw pet nutrition category.

Raw Pet Nutrition Leader Continues National Growth Trajectory, Earning Spot Among America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies

Carnivore Meat Co: 7 Years on Inc. 5000

Carnivore Meat Company® Named to Inc. 5000 List for Seventh Consecutive Year

At the Pet Innovation Awards, Vital Essentials takes home Sustainable &amp; Eco-Friendly Pet Products this year.

2026 Pet Innovation Award Winners

Vital Essentials Takes Home Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Pet Products Award at Pet Innovation Awards

Leaders in the freeze-dried pet food category continue to gain momentum as pet owners prioritize high-quality nutrition, transparency, and convenience. Rachel D’Agostino of BIXBI Pet stepped into the CEO role and implemented a major brand and business transition. She noted, “We took the time to rethink positioning, refresh our packaging, and make sure our story was coming through consistently across every touchpoint.”And that story is critical. “Pet parents trust us. That’s the foundation of everything,” said D’Agostino. “They know exactly what they’re getting with BIXBI Pet. Real meat, clean products, and a level of testing and quality standards that goes beyond what’s typical in the category. That transparency matters.”“In terms of excitement, our freeze-dried products continue to stand out,” she said. “They offer the benefits of raw feeding in a way that feels approachable and convenient. And with innovations like ProteinBlend, we’re bridging the gap between traditional kibble and whole food nutrition, which is where we’re seeing a lot of momentum.”D’Agostino discussed where she saw the category moving. “I see freeze-dried becoming more mainstream as more pet parents look for minimally processed, whole food options. The barrier has traditionally been accessibility, whether that’s price, format, or understanding. That’s starting to shift.” McLovin’s Pet has gained distribution in more than 4,000 doors in national and regional retailers across the US this last year. Jack Brettell, Vice President of Sales for McLovin’s Pet, revealed what makes the company unique. “What makes McLovin’s stand out in the freeze-dried category is our ability to deliver a high-quality meal for pets at an affordable price. Many shoppers are reluctant to trade up into the category due to price barriers. However, we were able to lower that barrier and allow shoppers to feed their pets with nutritious and palatable freeze-dried meals at an affordable price.”He continued, “Pet owners love our meals for dogs and cats. Not only are they made with premium ingredients, but they are also almost 50 percent less than many competitors in the market.”Brettell sees the category becoming more accessible. He noted, “Freeze-dried premium pet foods will become more affordable for the everyday shopper as the technology used for freeze-drying becomes more advanced and automated. We are already seeing freeze-dried pet foods showing up on shelves in grocery and mass retailers across the US.” Vital Essentials has been leading the way in helping pet owners understand their choices in pet food. CEO Heather Govea stated, “With so many options available, it can be difficult to understand what truly fuels their pets, especially as cost has become a more important consideration. Over the past year, we focused on simplifying that conversation and listening closely to what pet parents are asking for. Many are looking to improve their pet’s nutrition, but do not want to completely change their routine or take on something that feels out of reach financially. We worked to meet them in a more practical way through accessible formats such as larger bag sizes and easier-to-open packaging, along with flexible options like Soft Nibs that can be used as a mixer or topper.”Vital Essentials reinforces that small changes can have a meaningful impact. “Helping pet parents understand that adding about 20 percent of their bowl with nutrient-dense, whole-animal protein can support their pet’s health without overcomplicating feeding gives them confidence in what they are providing,” said Govea.Govea elaborated on how pet owners appreciate the simplicity and transparency in their products. “Recipes made with up to 99 percent meat, organs and bone make it easy to understand exactly what they are feeding without second-guessing the ingredient list.”“While simplicity and nutrition remain at the center of our approach, we are equally focused on making raw feeding more accessible. We continue to expand flexible feeding options, introduce larger pack sizes, and support retailers at the shelf to make it easier for pet parents to adopt. At the same time, we are bringing in new, novel proteins like our Quail Soft Nibs, now a Neighborhood Pet exclusive, and our Silver Carp Filet RAW Bar, offering more ways to make high-quality, raw nutrition feel practical for everyday routines.”

Vanguard Awards: Freeze Dried Premium Foods

Vital Essentials has been leading the way in helping pet owners understand their choices in pet food.

Green Bay, WI – August 12, 2025– <a href="https://www.carnivoremeat.com/" target="_self">Carnivore Meat Company®</a>, the award-winning manufacturer behind premium raw pet food brand Vital Essentials®, has once again been named to the prestigious <a href="https://www.inc.com/profile/carnivore-meat-company" target="_self">Inc. 5000 list</a>, marking its sixth consecutive year among the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. The company’s recognition is driven by sustained growth trajectory, continued retail expansion, and product innovation that’s modernizing the raw pet nutrition category.“We&#039;re incredibly proud to be recognized for the sixth consecutive year by Inc. 5000,&quot; said Heather Govea, CEO of Carnivore Meat Company. &quot;This honor reflects our team&#039;s relentless commitment to democratizing raw feeding and helping pet parents discover the transformative benefits of raw nutrition for their pets.&quot;Operating the largest freeze-dried manufacturing facility for pet food in the United States, Carnivore Meat Company combines scale with quality to meet growing demand for raw nutrition nationwide. Supporting this growth trajectory, the company has significantly expanded its team over the past year, bringing on board seasoned pet industry veterans and technical experts to drive continued innovation and market expansion.Carnivore Meat Company’s sustained growth is fueled by ongoing investment in raw innovation—from category-leading freeze-dried and frozen foods to packaging, tools, and education that help pet parents feed raw with confidence. As the parent company of Vital Essentials, Carnivore Meat Company launched its new Soft Nibs line and AI-powered Nutrition Calculator at Global Pet Expo in March, and is unveiling reimagined frozen single-serve patties and RAW Bar packaging transformations at SuperZoo 2025. These efforts underscore the company&#039;s mission to help pet parents see transformative benefits in their pets&#039; health by incorporating as little as 20% raw protein into their diets.Carnivore Meat Company products are available through more than 7,000 retailers across the U.S., in 14 international markets, and online, with continued focus on supporting neighborhood pet retailers and e-commerce partners. As the company expands, it remains committed to delivering high-quality, minimally processed pet food backed by responsible sourcing and industry-leading standards.For information on Carnivore Meat Company and its brands, visit <a href="https://www.carnivoremeat.com/" target="_self">carnivoremeat.com</a>.About Carnivore Meat Company Carnivore Meat Company is an award-winning leader in premium raw frozen and freeze-dried pet food and treats. Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the company is widely recognized as a pioneer in raw pet nutrition and owns and operates the largest freeze-dried manufacturing facility for pet food in NorthAmerica. The company&#039;s freeze-dried division also supplies private label, co-packing, and ingredient solutions to customers worldwide. Its rapidly growing brand, Vital Essentials®, is distributed through more than 7,000 U.S. retailers, 14 international markets, and online. Carnivore Meat Company has earned numerous accolades for growth and manufacturing excellence, including the Greater Green Bay Chamber Growth Award, Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award, Governor&#039;s Export Achievement Award, Greater Green Bay Chamber Manufacturing Award of Distinction, and six consecutive placements on the Inc. 5000 list of America&#039;s Fastest-Growing Private Companies. Learn more at <a href="https://www.carnivoremeat.com/" target="_self">CarnivoreMeat.com</a>.

Carnivore Meat Co: 6 Years on Inc. 5000

Carnivore Meat Company® Named to Inc. 5000 List for Sixth Consecutive Year

Carnivore Meat Company was listed in Inc 5000&#039;s list of fastest growing private companies for 5th year in a row...

Carnivore Meat Co. Named to Inc. 5000

Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies

Vital Essentials is a featured winner in the 2023 Pet Innovation Awards for Dog Treat Alternative Product of The Year...

Featured Winner: 2023 Pet Innovation Awards

2023 Dog Treat Alternative Product of The Year

Featured Winner in 2023 Pet Innovation Awards

GREEN BAY, WI (December 1, 2021) – Carnivore Meat Company, industry-leading manufacturer of raw pet food and treats, has won the 2021 Pet Business Industry Recognition Award in the Raw Cat Food category for their new highly popular product Vital Cat Freeze-Dried Pork Mini Nibs. The award marks the third consecutive year and fourth time overall that Vital Cat or its parent brand, Vital Essentials®, has earned the prestigious award.Pork, a novel protein, was added to the Vital Cat line in April to give new and current cat parents more flexibility and variety in their cat’s diet. Pet parents can feed their cat’s crunchy cravings with the award-winning Mini Nibs or lap up delectable Dinner Patties that can be fed wet or dry, providing multiple choices to meet the whole family’s needs and preferences. Pork is an alternative protein option for picky felines or cats who have allergies to common proteins like chicken or beef. Pork may be beneficial for cats with sensitive stomachs because it is easier to digest, and it contains many key nutrients, such as taurine for heart health and thiamine to regulate metabolism.“Vital Cat Freeze-Dried Pork Mini Nibs Cat Food has quickly become one of the best selling products in our cat food line and we’ve received amazing feedback about the high quality and palatability of both Pork cat food options,” stated Melissa Olson, VP Marketing &amp; Sales. “We’re honored to be recognized by Pet Business with the 2021 Industry Recognition Award.” Vital Cat Freeze-Dried Pork Mini Nibs not only earned Pet Business industry recognition, but this cat food item also received the 2021 Pet Innovation Award for Raw Cat Food of the Year in honor of the product’s creativity, quality and popularity.This marks the second award Vital Cat Freeze-Dried Pork Mini Nibs Cat Food earned in 2021 from two different prestigious recognition platforms within the pet industry. Only products that represent the ‘best of the best’ rise above the rigorous evaluation process and steep competition found in both platforms.2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the highly-respected Pet Business Industry Recognition Awards. A panel of industry experts evaluate hundreds of pet products each year before extending the award to “the most exciting and functional products that the industry has to offer.”Vital Essentials has now earned a Pet Business Industry Recognition Award four times in three different categories. Vital Essentials previously won in the Merchandising Displays category in 2016 for the newly-released VE RAW BAR, and then again in 2019 for the VE RAW BAR Freestanding Display. In 2020, Vital Essentials Family Size Treats earned the award in the Freeze-Dried Dog Treats Category.Each Pet Business Industry Recognition Award is a testament to the innovation and drive of Carnivore Meat Company, as the most tenured raw pet food manufacturer in the nation continues to release new high-quality products under the Vital Essentials and Vital Cat brands at groundbreaking speeds. About the Pet Business Industry Recognition AwardsPet Business is the most trusted trade media brand in the pet industry. Through a diverse and evolving set of platforms including print magazines, websites, e-newsletters and social media, Pet Business covers every facet of the industry, providing valuable, actionable advice to pet specialty retailers along the way. Pet Business’ Industry Recognition Awards program highlights the pet industry’s most innovative and functional products across a variety of categories. The winners are selected by the Pet Business editors after scouring the industry for the most exciting and functional products on the market.About Carnivore Meat CompanyCarnivore Meat Company is an award-winning manufacturer of premium raw frozen and freeze-dried pet food and treats.  Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the company’s rapidly growing brands include Nature’s Advantage®, Vital Essentials®, VE RAW BAR and Vital Cat®, which are distributed to over 6,000 retailers nationwide, in 14 international markets and online to Chewy.com, Amazon, PetFlow.com and others.  Long considered a raw pet food pioneer, the company’s freeze-dried products division supplies private label, co-packing and ingredients to customers globally.  Carnivore Meat Company is family owned and has been recognized for its growth accomplishments and manufacturing excellence with a number of awards in recent years, including Greater Green Bay Chamber Growth Award, Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award, Governor’s Export Achievement Award, Greater Green Bay Chamber Manufacturing Award of Distinction and Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies.

Vital Essentials is an award-winning raw cat food brand. Discover the power of raw nutrition. Order now!

Vital Essentials Wins Industry Award

Vital Essentials Pork Cat Food Wins Second Prestigious Industry Award

Vital Cat® Pork Cat Food Wins Second Prestigious Industry Award

From a cleaner freight train to an automated beehive, a way to recycle fabric, and other bold, new technologies, the 5th annual awards honor the products, concepts, companies, policies, and designs that are pursuing innovation for the good of society and the planet.GREEN BAY, WI (May 5, 2021) – The winners of Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards were announced today, honoring the businesses, policies, projects, and concepts that are actively engaged and deeply committed to pursuing innovation when it comes to solving health and climate crises, social injustice, or economic inequality.Carnivore Meat Company received Honorable Mention in the Pandemic Response Category for their donation of UV equipment to two local healthcare systems. The donation was in response to the alarming shortage of masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the COVID-19 pandemic last year.Working with local health professionals, Carnivore Meat Company CEO &amp; Owner Lanny Viegut organized the relocation of the equipment to a clean room facility on March 29, 2020, which became the first known fully operational, continuous in-line UV PPE sterilization facility in the United States.In the past year, the facility has processed thousands of masks for health care facilities, police and fire departments, dental offices and local businesses throughout Northeastern Wisconsin, allowing them to safely and confidently serve their communities. Nearly 70 organizations have benefited from services provided by the UV sterilization facility. And, the Wisconsin State Hygiene Lab considered replicating the facility to aid communities in other parts of the state.Now in its fifth year, the World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 33 winners, more than 400 finalists, and more than 800 honorable mentions with Health and Wellness, AI &amp; Data among the most popular categories. A panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners and finalists from a pool of more than 4,000 entries across transportation, education, food, politics, technology and more. Plus, several new categories were added, including Pandemic Response, Urban Design and Architecture. The 2021 awards feature entries from across the globe ranging from Brazil to Denmark to Vietnam.Showcasing some of the world’s most inventive entrepreneurs and companies tackling exigent global challenges, Fast Company’s Summer 2021 issue highlights, among others, a lifesaving bassinet; the world’s largest carbon sink, thanks to carbon-eating concrete; 3D-printed schools; an at-home COVID-19 testing kit; a mobile voting app; and the world’s cleanest milk.“I’m grateful that Carnivore Meat Company was in a position to donate our UV sterilization machine and provide help to our community in a time of great need,” commented Viegut. “We had no idea of the number of first responders, front-line workers and other organizations that would ultimately benefit from the services provided by the UV machine when we first came up with the concept. This recognition is a testament to our innovation and dedication to supporting our community and hopefully an inspiration for other companies to follow our lead.”“There is no question our society and planet are facing deeply troubling times. So, it’s important to recognize organizations that are using their ingenuity, impact, design, scalability, and passion to solve these problems,” says Stephanie Mehta, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “Our journalists, under the leadership of senior editor Morgan Clendaniel, have discovered some of the most groundbreaking projects that have launched since the start of 2020.”About the World Changing Ideas AwardsWorld Changing Ideas is one of Fast Company’s major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.

Carnivore Meat Company received Honorable Mention in the Pandemic Response Category for their donation of UV equipment to two local healthcare systems. 

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