About Litehouse Foods | Our Story, Mission, and Values

Great

starts with

great people

Let's Talk Food

Got questions, ideas, or just want to chat about our products? We're all ears. Whether it's a quick note to our customer service team or a question about our products and offerings, connect with us.

Customer Service Team:

1-877-695-9006

Corporate Office:

1-800-669-3169

Our Values

Integrity

We do what's right, even when no one is looking

Ownership

We roll up our sleeves and build together

Excellence

We don't stop at great

Heart

We lead with heart and it sets us apart

Our Story

1882

Since 1882, serving delicious food has been a source of pride for the Hawkins family. So it's no surprise that after World War II, Ed Hawkins would invent a bold, new dressing, laying the foundation for what would become Litehouse Foods.

1949

As a chef, Ed Hawkins believed it was his duty to serve high-quality food. However, one day in 1949, he received a complaint: his blue cheese dressing wasn't cutting it. With an open heart, he began to pray for inspiration. That’s when a little dissatisfaction led to something extraordinary: a mix of mayo, spices, blue cheese, and buttermilk... Our iconic, creamy blue cheese dressing.

1958

Edward and Lorena Hawkins took a leap of faith and purchased their own little lakeside restaurant called Litehouse in Hope, Idaho. Before long, it wasn’t just the food people loved; it was the creamy blue cheese dressing. Guests couldn’t get enough, returning with jars in hand, hoping to take the delicious dressing home. It became clear to the Hawkins that when something’s made with care and delicious ingredients, it’s impossible to have too much of a good thing.

1963

In 1963, Edward and Lorena were determined to get their famous blue cheese dressing into stores. They scraped together every penny they could find to buy 12 cases of jars and had their Aunt Ethel Ashley design the very first label. Each batch of dressing was hand-mixed in soup kettles to make sure it was fresh and flavorful. When the first Litehouse dressings were sold at Rogers Thrift in Sandpoint, Idaho, the Hawkins proved one thing: when you believe in something, you start where you are and give it everything you’ve got.

1978

In the 1970s, Litehouse hit the road. Doug and Edward drove store to store, selling their legendary dressings wherever they went. By the end of the decade, it was clear they couldn’t run this business alone—they needed extra hands. The solution? Hire a team and move the operation to Sandpoint, Idaho, where Litehouse still calls home today. It was at this moment that Doug and Edward understood great food only happens when great people work together.

1984

When Edward Sr. passed away in 1984, the Hawkins family thought it was time to step away from the restaurant business. By 1988, Litehouse had 12 products and four years without growth. Sons Doug and Edward Jr. knew what they had to do: craft delicious products people loved and invest in people that could bring these goals to life.

1997 Part 1

Great food doesn’t happen without teamwork, which is why Litehouse joined forces with Chadalee Farms—a family-run business with a long history in foodservice and horseradish stretching back to 1893. Together, they would begin building what would become Litehouse’s diverse lineup of product offerings.

1997 Part 2

Litehouse has always been a trailblazer, never afraid to push boundaries to make the best products. When grocery stores started expanding their offerings, Litehouse refused to be left behind. From sauces to freeze-dried herbs, meat marinades, salad bar dressing packs, veggie tray dips, caramel dip, and more, the team created flavors and products made for every occasion and every table that loves to share good food.

2001

Litehouse welcomed Pend Oreille Cheese Company into the family to craft blue cheese for its legendary dressings. However, Litehouse refused to stop there. Blue cheese crumbles and wheels followed, specially made for salads, sandwiches, snacks, or any moment that could use a little bold, craveable flavor.

2006

Litehouse has always believed the heart of every great product is the people behind it. The company’s team is part of the family, and as a family-owned business, ownership isn’t just about business—it’s about honoring the passion, ideas, and hard work that go into every product. That’s why in 2006, 30% of the company was shared with the employees, and by 2014, Litehouse became 100% employee-owned. Now every win, success, bit of growth is shared with the incredible people who make it possible.

2019/2020

Sky Valley Foods joined the Litehouse family, bringing the Sky Valley and Organicville brands into our lineup—officially establishing Litehouse Inc. The following year, Veggiecraft came on board, adding even more innovation and delicious ways to turn everyday meals into something extraordinary.

Now

From a tiny lakeside restaurant to a full-on flavor powerhouse, Litehouse Foods continues to grow with new, dynamic dressings, dips, seasonings, sauces, and more. We love what we do, and we won’t stop caring about what matters most: creating food that brings good into the world. With so much passion, creativity, and heart in the mix, Litehouse Foods’ future looks brighter, and tastier, than ever.

Account