The Kitchn editors have identified six grocery staples worth adding to your cart, ranging from jarred marinara sauce to premium potato chips discovered at the Fancy Food Show.
The publication's team sampled products at the Fancy Food Show's Bodega section, a curated collection of artisanal and specialty items. These aren't mass-market basics. The editors gravitated toward products that deliver quality without pretension, ingredients that elevate everyday cooking without requiring a culinary degree.
Jarred marinara sauce topped the list. Rather than dismissing jars outright, the editors found versions with clean ingredient lists and balanced acidity that rival homemade versions. For busy home cooks, quality jarred sauce cuts prep time while maintaining flavor.
The chip selection reflects a broader shift in snacking. Crunchy potato chips with proper seasoning and ingredient integrity appeal to editors tired of mass-produced alternatives. Premium chips use better oils, real salt, and minimal additives. They pair equally well with weeknight television or casual entertaining.
The Fancy Food Show serves as a discovery engine for food professionals and serious home cooks. Held annually, the event brings together thousands of producers, from multinational corporations to single-person operations. Bodega sections specifically highlight grab-and-go products and shelf-stable items that bridge the gap between convenience and quality.
This trend reflects consumer appetite for products that don't demand compromise. Shoppers increasingly reject the false choice between convenience and excellence. A jarred sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes and minimal processing satisfies both desires. Premium chips manufactured by producers who care about sourcing prove people will pay more for better products.
The Kitchn's selections matter beyond individual taste preferences. Food editors influence purchasing decisions at scale. Their endorsements shape what sells. When trusted voices recommend a specific jarred marinara or chip brand, retail