Popcorn Crazy, and for Good Reason!

The Greater Shoals area has an endless number of talented food crafters and often times the "little guy (or gal)" goes unnoticed, until now! Local Food Fight sings the praises of food creators large and small, new and experienced - as long as they are locally owned and operated.

This week's review is for Popcorn Crazy by Meia Ricks, a quaint little food trailer based in Florence, Alabama. I fist encountered these tasty treats at the 2025 St. Florian Oktoberfest, and haven't stopped thinking about it ever since.

Popcorn Crazy offers fifteen different flavors of popcorn on their easy-to-navigate website, including Gourmet Caramel Pecan Brittle.

We tried two different varieties:

1. Gourmet Caramel with Cashews (13 oz.) - (pictured below left)

2. Gourmet Spicy Ranch (8 oz.) - (pictured below right)

One of my earliest food concepts as called Popcorn Princess. As a popcorn nerd and researcher, not only did I learn how difficult the candy-making operation was, I also learned that there were a variety of different types of popcorn to choose from - some more effective than others when making gourmet popcorn. The best varietal, as it turns out, is Elephant popcorn, which results in a large, round, fluffy kernel with maximum surface area to highlight the flavor of the coating. These giant popcorn kernels are exactly what Popcorn Crazy by Meia Ricks uses to make their delicious offerings in both sweet and savory flavors.

The Spicy Ranch has just enough mellow heat hitting the back of your throat to balance the creamy richness of the perky ranch. The seasoning hides in every nook and cranny for maximum flavor in every bite. So good, the bag will disappear before you know what happened.

The Gourmet Caramel with Cashews stands on its own as one of the best caramel corns I've had. Even in this humid climate, each kernel's candy coating is crisp and buttery, paired with the tenderness of cashews dotted throughout the bag. They've also managed to minimize one of the hazards of candy corn - those unfortunate occurrences when you happen to bite down on an un-popped kernel. Though inevitable, extremely rare with this expertly crafted confection.

Bravo to Popcorn Crazy by Meia Ricks for making the Local Food Fight "Win List" early in 2026! We look forward to many more opportunities to enjoy your craft.

While it takes a tiny bit more effort to buy from small, local makers, the effort is well worth it to find something special that you and your family will treasure. Shop local, shop small and continue the local food fight!

Popcorn Crazy by Meia Ricks

https://popcorncrazy.shop/