About Us

Inspired by the unique and vibrant desert flavors of The Colorado Plateau, Prickly Foods and Preserves is all about quality produce, superior taste, and innovation.

After gaining experience working for iconic Flagstaff establishments like Fratelli Pizza and Arizona Snowbowl, Owner Harry Bell booked it to Kanab, Utah during Covid where (he) I began working for Wild Thyme Cafe. While proving worthy as a server, my passion grew for kitchen operations. I experimented with desserts and purveyed wild foods like elderberry and prickly pear. These strange but beautiful foods ultimately landed on a couple menus across Southern Utah fueling the confidence of my entrepreneurial spirit.

During, Phase I, Prickly used produce from local Utah farmers and growers. Attending farmers markets in Hurricane, St George, and Santa Clara, Harry and his Marketing Partner, Gerald Maynard put their culinary and sales skills on the line….ultimately selling lots of pickles and leaving countless folks entertained.

Innovation and flavor were major key. Pickles were made sourcing local cucumbers empowering small farmers with steady business while offering a significantly tastier and nutritional product. Although we have since discontinued the infamous “Sassy Dill” Pickle product, we are grateful for the experience. Moving forward, we are dedicating our time to fruit leathers and other tasty desert inspired products to come!

This company started in part because I was mistreated in the Food and Beverage Industry…first of my kind, I wish. Unfortunately many people experience misconduct in this industry and in some sort of capacity I want Prickly to represent a beacon of hope for those who have experienced their own discrimination, abuse, or any other unwarranted stress in the industry.

Be strong, you are seen,

Be bold, you are special,

Be yourself, because you are loved.

-hdb

The Mission

To create healthy, delicious, minimal ingredient, shelf-stable snacks connecting the magical landscape to hikers, tourists, and locals, wherever the journey leads.

We are dedicated to bringing vibrant flavors of the American Southwest desert to your adventures.

Crafting delicious, healthy, sustainable snacks, we capture the essence of our region’s dry climate, diverse landscape, and psychedelic beauty. Featuring local and/or organic ingredients in many of our products, we aim to offer not only tasty but community and environmentally conscious food products.

Why Choose Prickly?

Every snack is an experience.

Our products are thoughtfully crafted to provide a taste of the unique flavors of southern Utah, while focusing on quality, health, and sustainability. When you choose Prickly Foods, you’re not just choosing a snack—you’re choosing a connection to nature, community, and adventure.