Shelf Appeal: Branding That Feeds Me

My weekly trip to my local health food store, Cornucopia, is my favorite day of the week. It’s not the largest store, but I’m always finding new brands I love and snapping photos. Grocery stores have always been my biggest source of inspiration, and when I travel, you’re more likely to find me wandering market aisles than museums or landmarks.

Maybe it’s my publishing background, but I’ve always been drawn to branding—how design and copy come together to tell a story. Over the years, I’ve watched trends shift across books, lifestyle, and food: “statement wallpaper and fatty text” and “blobs of suggestive colors”. Few stick around, and others fade, but it’s always fascinating to see how visual identities evolve. Gen Z may be driving the rise of bubbly, feel-good branding, but let’s be real—no one’s immune to the pull of a well-designed label.

The brands that stand out to me go beyond aesthetics. They have a strong point of view, thoughtful packaging, and a real commitment to quality. They make food that feels as good as it looks.

As a copywriter, I love helping brands bring that story to life. I want to craft messaging that feels as intentional as the product itself. If you’re building something with care and want words to match, let’s talk.

Here are some of my favorites:

Products left to right: Halfday Sweet Tea, Joolie’s Brownie Date Pops, Fillo’s Walking Tamales, Wholesome Organic Honey, Lesser Evil Space Balls, Chomps Stick, The Ginger People Ginger Rescue Tablets, Lundberg Rices, Birch Benders Organic Buttermilk Pancake Mix, Siete Chamoy, Chamberlain Coffee Vanilla Blend.