Case Study: The Pickle Guys, Part 1
- AgriForaging Compliance Services
- Dec 1
- 3 min read
Client: The Pickle Guys Location: 357 Grand Street, NY, NY 10002 Pickle Guys Website: Pickle Guys Instagram: Pickle Guys Facebook: Pickle Guys
The Pickle Guys Evolution
The Pickle Guys have been part of the Lower East Side’s food landscape for decades. Their barrels, brines, and fermentation work reflect a tradition carried across generations. As production needs increased and the company prepared for a larger facility,
AgriForaging Compliance Services was brought in to support a transition grounded in science, regulatory structure, and operational clarity. Our work focused on strengthening the systems behind their craft so the business could expand without drifting away from the identity that defines their products.
The Challenge
The Pickle Guys produce fermented, acidified, and refrigerated pickled foods. Each category operates under distinct regulatory expectations through FSMA, 21 CFR 114, 21 CFR 117, and NYSDAM’s 20-C program with FDA oversight. As the product line grew, the company needed a compliance framework that could support higher volume, broader distribution, and increased regulatory visibility.
They were seeking:
• Scheduled process evaluations for every SKU • Process Authority coordination for approvals and shelf life
• Nutrition analysis and compliant Nutrition Facts panels
• Scientific review of recipes and production steps
• Facility layout and workflow updates for the planned expansion
• Documentation and preparation for regulatory inspection
• Ongoing compliance support as operations scale
The central challenge was how to grow while protecting the methods, flavor, and identity that define their work.
AgriForaging’s Approach 1. Scheduled Process Analysis
AgriForaging conducted a full review of the product line, documenting pH distribution, fermentation curves, acidification behavior, and ingredient function. These evaluations formed the technical foundation for scheduled processes and consistent production.
2. Process Authority Coordination
We managed the interface with the Process Authority, prepared submissions, clarified formulations, and supported shelf life evaluations. This strengthened the accuracy and completeness of the documentation and reduced delays.
3. Nutrition Analysis and Labeling
We are completing nutrition analysis and preparing compliant Nutrition Facts panels across the product line to support both retail and wholesale channels.
4. Regulatory Guidance Across Product Categories
Fermented, acidified, and refrigerated products require distinct control programs. We provided specific guidance on fermentation management, acidification controls, refrigerated product safety, and required recordkeeping to align with state and federal expectations.
5. Scientific Review of Recipes and Processes
We reviewed each recipe and production step for scientific grounding, safety, and alignment with scheduled processes. This reduced variability, improved predictability, and supported operational stability.
6. Facility Layout and Expansion Planning
We evaluated workflow, equipment positioning, sanitation requirements, and ingredient flow to support the upcoming expansion and strengthen long-term production planning.
7. Ongoing Compliance and Scale-Up Support
AgriForaging continues to support the company as they increase production, including guidance on environmental controls, Food Safety Plan considerations, consistency, and operational structure.
Partnership Results
• Scheduled processes approved across the full product line • Shelf life extended for multiple products
• Nutrition labeling prepared for expanded distribution
• Improved facility layout and workflow for the new space
• Strengthened scientific controls across recipes and processes
• Increased regulatory readiness and improved inspection outcomes
The Pickle Guys remain grounded in the traditional methods that define their identity. The barrels are still central to their work. What has changed is the structure supporting them. With a defined compliance structure and stronger scientific foundation, the company is positioned to grow while maintaining the integrity of a long-standing Lower East Side craft.
As demand for fermented and pickled foods continues to rise, producers need more than strong recipes. They need regulatory, scientific, and operational systems capable of holding the weight of expansion. AgriForaging Compliance Services provided the structure and clarity that allowed The Pickle Guys to move forward with confidence while preserving the craftsmanship their customers expect.
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