Heinz (stylized as HEINZ) is an American food processing company founded in 1869 by Henry J. Heinz. The company produces thousands of food products, marketing them in over 200 countries and territories. Some of Heinz's most popular products are their line of condiments, which includes ketchup, mustard, relish and gravy. The company is owned by the Kraft-Heinz Company, the fifth largest food corporation in the world. Heinz's 2020 net profits reached approximately $26 billion dollars.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Heinz made its Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in the 2021 Parade, with an all-new unit known as the "Gravy Pirates" - a gallivanting group of pirates who set out on a mission to fight dryness on Thanksgiving by smothering dinner in savory Heinz gravy. The Gravy Pirates rode into port with a Gravy Pirate Ship, the first-ever "Floalloonicle" (part balloon, part float, and part vehicle) of its kind.
Joining the Gravy Pirate Ship were a trio of balloonicles known as the Dishmates[1]; Mr. and Mrs. Carrot, a carrot couple; Drumby, a turkey leg dipped in gravy; and Mashy, a cheery bowl of mashed potatoes.
In conjunction with the Gravy Pirate's debut, Heinz released their first-ever children's book, Grace and the Gravy Pirates, inspired by the Parade unit. The book tells the story of a young girl and her formidable pirate pals, who embark on an adventurous voyage to fight all the things that make the holiday dry: dry food, dry conversation, and lack of fun family activities.
Though the Gravy Pirates unit remained largely intact throughout its debut, the Mr. and Mrs. Carrot balloonicle was removed from the line of march shortly before arriving at 34th Street.
This was the only time the Dishmates plundered through the streets of New York, as they would be retired after that year's procession.