In 2020, the pandemic made people stop and think about the food they’re putting in their bodies, said Jay Alley, co-owner and vice president of sales for Rhome, Texas-based ¡Yo Quiero! They began to think about food differently — not only as a way to satiate hunger, but to also nourish their bodies.

“‘Food as Medicine’ has been a trending phrase over the last few years, and our products have better-for-you ingredients with our avocado and guacamole items leading that line with nutrient dense avocados.”

Avocado-centric products are where ¡Yo Quiero!’s team of innovators continues to search, test and ideate with the top minds in the industry, to determine the right products for these health-minded trends, said Tara Murray, the company’s vice president of marketing.

And even though the company’s bean dips are not avo-centric, “they do pack a powerful protein and fiber punch that allows consumers to feel better about their snacking habits,” she said.

For the first time ever, ¡Yo Quiero! exhibited at the Madison, Wis.-based International Dairy Deli Bakery Association’s (IDDBA) annual show in June.

The show gave ¡Yo Quiero! the perfect showcase for its line of premium dips, which allows retailers to create the “Ultimate Dip Destinations” in their deli departments, said Tara Murray, the company’s vice president of marketing.

“We have hand-scooped guacamole, vine-ripened tomato salsa, creamy queso, spicy elote and our new, enticing bean dips,” she said. “When it comes to product buzz, our retail partners love our new bean dips.”

The dips have two heat levels, original and spicy, along with a variety of sizes to fit retailers’ and consumers’ needs. ¡Yo Quiero! soft-launched the dips before Super Bowl this year, and retailers sold out, said Jay Alley, co-owner and vice president of sales.

“Everyone who tries them loves them,” Alley said. “The beans are a perfect addition to and help round out our Ultimate Dip Destination.”

¡Yo Quiero! is also excited this year about the growth of its avocado-centric dips and spreads.

The Hass Avocado Board projects that by 2025, per capita avocado consumption will reach almost 12 pounds. With that continued popularity, Murray said, ¡Yo Quiero! continues to innovate new ways to incorporate avocados into traditional dips.

In June, the company relaunched its Avocado Cream Cheese dips with a new size and cleaner flavor profiles. Avocados are the top ingredient in the dips, which also include fresh cream cheese and delicious blends of veggies and seasonings.

The dips come in four flavors: Jalapeno Popper, Spinach Bacon, Spinach Artichoke and Cheesy Bacon Ranch.