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Congress has declared September "National Tortilla Month." According to the Tortilla Industry Association (TIA), the sale of tortillas is poised to outpace the sale of sandwich bread for the first time in United States history with sales projected to cross the $6 billion dollar mark, making this a momentous occasion marked by the declaration.

In recognition of the growth and consumption milestones for tortillas in the U.S., tortilla and ingredient manufacturers petitioned Congress to identify the significant contribution of this Latin-based product on American culture and to the U.S. economy. The declaration was sponsored by Congressman Devin Nunes of California's 21st District.

Tortilla sales in the U.S., split about equally between corn and flour, are growing at close to double digit rates, suggests research being conducted by TIA. "Two factors are driving this growth," says Jim Kabbani, TIA's Executive Director. "One factor is demographic--increased immigration and birth rates of Hispanic Americans --but just as significant is the adoption by all Americans of healthier eating habits. People are eating wraps instead of sandwiches which is contributing to the positive trend in sales and consumption."

TIA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1990 to assist member companies, and the industry as a whole, in efficient growth and development, and to promote the consumption of tortillas and related food products. The association has 200 member companies representing tortilleros, ingredient manufacturers and equipment suppliers. New membership in TIA has grown over the past year by 10% reflecting the growth of the industry. Members receive significant benefits through group buying, educational and business-building programs specifically designed for tortilla industry representatives.

At the upcoming TIA convention in Las Vegas, September 29 through October 1, members will compete to bake the world's biggest tortilla. "We hope to host this competition each September during our future conference to draw attention to how much bigger the market is growing," Kabbani says.

~ National Restaurant News ~ 2008-09-24 ~

 

September Named National Tortilla Month

According to a new report from foodservice consultants Technomic, three out of five consumers (62 percent) who report purchasing more supermarket prepared meals than a year ago, are doing so at the expense of fast-food restaurants. The survey of more than 1,500 consumers found that family-style and casual-dining restaurants also were impacted to a somewhat lesser extent. Convenience was cited by 86 percent as the reason for buying more retailer meal solutions.

"Retail food chains, eager to recapture share-of-stomach, have been actively developing retailer meal solutions with strong consumer appeal, allowing retailers to reposition themselves as competitors to restaurants," says Darren Tristano, executive vice president of Technomic. "Consumers are facing increasingly difficult economic choices, like balancing the higher cost of gasoline with the decision to dine out. The economic downturn may alter consumers' food sourcing habits. To stay in the game, retailers and restaurant operators will have to continue to adapt their value equations to meet the market's changing needs."

The findings come from Technomic's Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report, which provides an in-depth analysis of consumers' purchases of retailer meal solutions (RMS), their motivations and unmet needs, as well as why they chose RMS over restaurant meals. Select findings include:

*Over half (55 percent) of consumers surveyed think that retailer prepared foods have greatly improved over the past three years.

* Over 80 percent reported buying at least one prepared meal from a retailer in a typical month. Over four in ten (41 percent) consumers purchase four or more retailer meals per month.

* Taste and freshness of food are the most important factors in choosing to purchase a retailer-prepared meal, cited by 89 percent and 87 percent respectively. However, offering fresher menu items was an area noted as needing improvement for many retail establishments.

* One-fifth of consumers reported they would purchase more RMS if there were a greater variety of menu items offered, particularly in convenience stores.

Technomic's Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report explores the expansion of the retail foodservice marketplace and the factors driving it to become increasingly competitive with restaurants. It includes "real world" examples of how specific retailers are enhancing their RMS offerings and covers channels including traditional supermarkets, mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs, convenience stores, specialty food stores and upscale/fresh-format supermarkets.

The new report, based on extensive quantitative consumer research, follows up on two major RMS studies recently conducted by Technomic for chain operators, retailers and suppliers. Technomic also provides ongoing reporting and analysis on RMS developments and opportunities in its RMS Monitor.

~ National Restaurant News ~ 2008-10-08 ~

Prepared Meals

Casa de Oro Announces the Sale of Its Louisville Facility and Management Changes at Its Omaha Facility

 

Casa de Oro Foods, LLC (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the sale of its Louisville, Kentucky manufacturing facility and business to Mesa Foods, Inc. on September 29, 2008.  The principals of Mesa Foods are former members of the Company’s management team, Ted Longacre, Chuck Sinon and Charles Kraut.

Tim Cranor, President of Casa de Oro, and the Omaha management team will continue operating the Omaha, Nebraska facility and business, which produces various types, sizes, and flavors of flour tortilla products for major food companies.  The Omaha facility has consistently been rated Superior by AIB and receives top scores from its customers’ audits.  “We are excited to be operating independently from the Louisville operation,” Cranor said, “and we look forward to providing the same high level of service and quality products which our Omaha customers have relied on since the plant began operations in 1992.”

A recent addition to the management team is David Foran, Vice President of Sales, who joined Casa de Oro most recently from Treehouse Foods, with previous assignments at Safeway, Kellogg’s, and Interstate Brands Corporation.  “David’s experience will further strengthen our outstanding customer service, expand existing customer relationships, and build new ones.”

Other management changes associated with the sale include the promotion of Greg Power to Vice President of Quality Assurance and Product Development.  Power joined the Company from Mexican Original Foods, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods, where he worked for 16 years as Regional Quality Manager.  “Greg Power will help Casa continue to be a leader in product development and innovation,” according to Cranor.  Shawn Jones has been named Quality Assurance Manager.  Mr. Jones has worked at Casa de Oro for 13 years, most recently as Plant Superintendent.

Mike Doeden, who has been with the Company for 16 years, most recently as Assistant Plant Manager, has been promoted to Plant Manager.  Joining Mr. Doeden’s staff is Cameron Stuart as Plant Superintendent.  According to Cranor, “In a short period of time, Mike Doeden has had a very positive impact on the Omaha plant in terms of improving efficiencies and lowering costs.  We look forward to Mike and his team continuing to make significant improvements at the Omaha plant.”

Plaza Belmont Fund II, LLC, and other institutional investors, acquired Casa de Oro from ConAgra in January 2004 and immediately began re-directing the Company’s strategy to focus on products for large foodservice customers and food companies.  According to John T. Stout, Jr., CEO of the Company and Plaza Belmont, “The sale of the Louisville plant, together with the sale of our Chi-Chi’s retail brand in 2005, completes the strategic re-alignment of the Company.  With this clear focus and new management team, I am very confident that Casa de Oro will continue providing our customers with the highest levels of product quality, innovation and customer service.”

Plaza Belmont Casa de Oro Foods Press Release