J & J Snack Foods, 720 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310, US

Samples Institutional Foods manufactures portion-controlled meats, among other items, for such clients as school systems, hospitals and nursing homes. Its utilitarian offices on Green Street receive daily steam cleanings and, often, twice-daily visits by various inspectors. This family business takes pride in its output: Joe Samples, whose father founded the company, recalls lesser meat products he has encountered, ones whose fillers separated from the main ingredients in unattractive ways. Thus, some good came from the lunchroom horrors of yesteryear, namely that they served as counter-examples for food producers of today.