Summer 2011 - US Food and Agricultural Exporter Magazine

A Quarterly Food Magazine
THE
www.TheExporterMagazine.com
ANUGA Offers
U.S. Companies New
Business
Summer 2011 | $ 5 U.S.D.
Mexico’s Marketplace-
Adapt and Change are a Must!
Preferred Pioneer’s Popcorn Producing
Antioxidant Rich Fruits and Veggies
“Eat to your heart’s content”
Summer 2011
1

4
A Quarterly Food Magazine
THE
www.TheExporterMagazine.com
ANUGA Offers
U.S. Companies New
Business
Summer 2011 | $ 5 U.S.D.
Mexico’s Marketplace-
Adapt and Change are a Must!
Preferred Pioneer’s Popcorn Producing
Antioxidant Rich Fruits and Veggies
“Eat to your heart’s content”
Summer 2011 1
table of
contents
6 From the Publisher
WeThankYou
Features
9 ANUGA
Offers U.S. Companies New Business
15 Antioxidant Rich Fruits and Veggies:
“Eat to your heart’s content”
20 Preferred Pioneer’s Popcorn Producing:
It’sWholesome & Economical
24 Mexico’s Marketplace:
Adapt and Change are a Must!
Product Highlight
14 Shoreline Fruit
Focused on Growing
28 Gourmetti
The Best of GreenTea and AloeVeraTogether
30 Premium Gold Flax
Tasty, Healthy and Beautiful
32 Foodsource
Your One Source
37 Rao’s Specialty Foods, Inc.
Traditional Italian Delicacies
40 Hilltop Ranch
Bringing California Almonds toYou
Advertiser’s Index
44 List of Advertisers
46 Buyer’s Index
20
15
24
THE
Summer 2011
9

s the owner and Publisher of The American Exporter Magazine over the last 5 years, I would like to
express my sincere thanks for the privilege to work with the finest U.S. food manufacturers and
processors. It has been a challenging economic environment for small and large business alike.
But the international trade has been exciting and dynamic. I would not want to be anywhere else.
Many of the companies featured in The American Exporter Magazine over the years have demonstrated
why the private sector will always be the greatest innovators in the areas of food safety, environmental
issues, and health conscious products. Yet the bureaucrats in D.C. have placed a barrage of regulations
on the U.S. food and agricultural industry with the intent on controlling the means by which companies
produce and distribute product. By layering repetitious regulations that are already on the books in
many states, the effect is increased prices that the consumer eventually pays.
That brings me to one of my favorite topics…inflation. Over the past five years that I’ve been
publishing The American Exporter Magazine, I’ve discussed the insidious nature of inflation. The price
increase of food is one of the first indicators that inflation is on the rise. All you need to do is go to your
local supermarket and see how much a bag of oranges has gone up. The monetary policy combined
with government regulations (home and abroad), coupled with a falling dollar, makes a nice recipe for
increasing inflation.
Large and small, I have had the honor to work with some the greatest food companies in our free
market system. And it is the free market systems that allow these companies to produce enough food to
feed the world with plenty to spare. History has never seen such a food producing system. The best way
the government can partner with the entities within this system is simply stay out of the way. Like I said,
state and local municipalities already have a number of safety regulations. It does not need the federal
government adding a new layer on top of existing regulations! But that is what is happening.
If you have read my Publisher’s Statement over the years, you would know this one of my biggest
complaints. And it is not exclusive to my commentary. It is the number one complaint amongst
companies you see in this magazine. Our continued mission is to promote U.S. food and agricultural
companies in the world markets. The American Exporter Magazine will continue to promote the
innovativeness of the food manufacturers only a free market economy can produce. And with that, I’ll
see you on the road.
6
We Thank
You
Summer 2011
PUBLISHER:
James P. Molzen
+1-816-415-3815
SENIOR EDITOR:
Lisa Mooney
DESIGN & PRODUCTION:
H J Design, Inc.
ADVERTISING SALES:
Krista Scott, Account Manager
+1-314-258-5354
klsinternational@yahoo.com
STAFF WRITERS:
Whitney Seiter
LEGAL COUNSEL:
Chris Molzen
PUBLISHING POLICY:
Articles printed inThe American
Exporter express the opinions
of the individual authors and
do not necessarily represent the
formal position of the publisher.
Acceptance of advertising does
not constitute endorsement.
Visit us online at
www.theexportermagazine.com
The American Exporter is published
quarterly by JPM International
Consulting, LLC and is distributed
internationally. For advertising
information or to direct questions or
comments regarding the magazine,
contact JPM International Consulting, LLC
at expjpm@aol.com.
© Copyright 2011 JPM International
Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.
The contents of this publication cannot
be reproduced in whole or in part
without the written consent of the
publisher.
Printed in the USA
THE

ANUGA Offers
U.S. Companies New Business
magine going into one building
and taking care of all your needs and your
company’s needs, no matter how diverse,
without ever having to leave that one
building. Does it sound too good to be true?
This is exactly what Anuga, the smorgasbord
of trade fairs, allows those in attendance to
accomplish. Anuga is being held this coming
October from the 8th to the 10th in Cologne,
Germany. Cologne is Germany’s fourth
largest city and home to Koelnmesse, a
leading trade fair and convention centre, and
the location of this year’s Anuga trade fair.
Anuga brings ten different trade fairs in close
proximity of one another, and is considered
to be the largest international food and
beverage exhibition. In the past, over 6,000
suppliers and 161,000 visitors from around
157 countries have been in attendance at
Anuga. 53 percent of these attendees came
from abroad. The fair hosts manufacturers,
wholesalers, and importers of food
and drinks, catering technology, retail
technology, and anything else that someone
doing business in this industry could
possibly need. When entering the building
one will quickly notice the different fairs are
arranged by theme. This arrangement makes
the fair easily accessible and user-friendly
for all those in attendance. The largest of
all the Anuga trade shows is the Anuga
Fine Food fair. The Fine Foods fair is aimed
mainly towards companies offering gourmet
products. Some of the other shows include
Anuga Organic, Anuga Dairy, Anuga Frozen
Food, and Anuga Drinks. The large variety of
different shows guarantees there is a place of
interest for anyone attending the show.
It makes perfect sense that such a large
and diverse show is being held in Cologne
because, with a population of over one
million people, Cologne has become one of
the most important centers in central Europe
for economy, trade, and science. This makes
Cologne the perfect place for companies
looking to grow and expand their exporting
business internationally.
One such company that will be in
by Whitney Seiter
Summer 2011
9

attendance at Anuga is Dave’s Gourmet,
Inc. The company, which began with a
small restaurant called Burrito Madness,
is now nationally and internationally
known for their hot sauces alongside
the seventy other products the company
offers. Dave Hirschkop, founder of Dave’s
Gourmet, has been in attendance at
Anuga for the past three years. While
the company’s main exports are to the
United Kingdom and Canada, they do
10
some exporting to other parts of Europe
as well as parts of Asia. The company is
also looking towards growing into other
areas. Hirschkop is looking forward to
attending Anuga again this year and says,
“Being that Anuga is such a big show in
terms of both exhibitors and attendees
it is a great opportunity to both sell and
to taste foods from all over the world.”
Dave’s Gourmet, Inc. currently exports
to Germany, and is looking forward to
further expanding their name at Anuga.
Dave’s Gourmet products are popular in
this area, because they offer something
that can’t be found in other products.
Hirschkop explains, “Our biggest exports
to Germany are hot sauces, and this is
because we make sauces that are much
hotter than normal. Worldwide people’s
tolerance to and desire for spicy foods
are growing.” This is beneficial to Dave’s
Gourmet, Inc. as the company offers
some hot sauces so hot they include the
word “insanity” in their name. Hirschkop
also explains that, while they are known
for such sauces, the company is looking
forward to introducing other products
to these areas as well. “Our innovative
pasta sauces probably represent an even
bigger growth opportunity as pasta is
the most consumed food in the world,”
Hirschkop says. In this way Anuga will
be helpful to the company, because they
can promote their variety of products all
in one place. The company has already
seen immense growth, and is excited to
continue by expanding into many regions
including the country that is home to
Anuga. Hirschkop says, “While we are an
18 year old company we have more than
tripled our sales in the last four years.
Over the next five years we would like
to try and triple them again by creating
innovative sauces and snacks that people
love. We hope to be able to adapt these
products for important foreign markets
like Germany, Japan, and the UK and
thereby greatly increase our sales there,”
Hirschkop explains. This immense
growth can be aided by attending Anuga
and other trade shows where companies
can show their products while also
checking out what their competition has
to offer.
Anuga offers companies, like Dave’s
Gourmet, the chance to meet all of their
needs for expansion and exporting in
one place. The fact that it is located in
Germany, where many companies are
looking to grow and increase business is
an added bonus.

Shoreline Fruit:
North America’s Largest
Cherry Grower
Near the shores of Lake Michigan, in the heart of
cherry country, Shoreline Fruit makes its home. We
are the growers, processors and marketers of a full
complement of the finest dried fruits and cherry
products available anywhere in the world.
Our vertically integrated family of companies provides
an exceptional level of quality in everything we do—
Visit Randy Atwater and Joseph
Lothamer At ANUGA 2011, USA
Pavilion Hall 10.2 Booth 1-60a.
from the planting of saplings
to the delivery of flavorful,
nutritious products and
responsive, personalized
service. This singular
dedication to excellence
drives our ongoing pursuit
of superior products and
processes, while inspiring
our strong, proactive approach to environmental
stewardship and sustainability.
14
To find more information about Shoreline Fruit,
visit shorelinefruit.com or contact
Joseph.Lothamer@shorelinefruit.com.
001-517-339-2109
Product of the USA

Antioxidant Rich
Fruits and Veggies
“Eat to your heart’s content”
Summer has arrived and with the hot weather comes a delicious assortment of
fruits and vegetables that not only taste great but are excellent health boosters,
as well! Certain fruits and vegetables are packed with powerful antioxidants
that can lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, and even slow down the body’s
natural aging process.
What are antioxidants and why do we need them?
Antioxidants are nature’s way of fighting off potentially
dangerous molecules in the body. Such molecules come
in the form of synthetic chemicals such as pesticides,
plastics, and chlorine byproducts and are called free
radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that
essentially feed off of otherwise healthy molecules in
order to survive. Every day tens of thousands of free
radicals are generated within the body, causing cell
damage that can lead to chronic and degenerative
diseases if left unchecked.
The human body naturally creates some free
radicals in order to destroy viruses or bacteria. To
balance out these unruly molecules, the body also
by Lisa Mooney
by Whitney Seiter
creates antioxidants, which have the sole purpose of
neutralizing free radicals. The body is only designed
to create a certain amount of antioxidants on its own
however, and as we are faced with an ever-growing
number of environmental toxins, the body is less
capable of fighting off the unwanted harmful invaders.
Fruits and vegetables provide the body with an
added source of antioxidants that is needed to properly
wage war against free radicals. With the necessary
antioxidants that fruits and vegetables can provide, free
radicals can be neutralized, protecting your vital organs
from harmful damage. Read on to find out which fruits
and vegetables contain the most antioxidants and
should be a part of your daily diet.
Summer 2011 15

Blueberries
Recently published USDA research
confirms that a serving of Wild
Blueberries delivers more antioxidant
power than 20 different fruits and berries
- including cultivated blueberries. For the
first time, the USDA evaluated both Wild
(lowbush) and cultivated (highbush)
blueberries in its antioxidant study and
found that Wild topped its cultivated
cousins by 48%.
According to Dr. Ronald Prior, lead
researcher on the study from the USDA
Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center
and Agricultural Research Service,
“Wild Blueberries are stars in terms
of their antioxidant capacity… This
is the most comprehensive study of
antioxidant capacity, using the most
advanced technologies, and will serve as
an important benchmark for future fruit
and vegetable research.”
Scientists attribute the high
antioxidant capacity of Wild Blueberries
to anthocyanin, the phytonutrient
responsible for the berry’s deep blue color.
The new USDA findings support previous
studies indicating that Wild Blueberries
are consistently higher than cultivated
blueberries in anthocyanin, as well as total
phenolics and antioxidant capacity. USDA
scientists have recently discovered that
blueberries and cranberries also contain
significant levels of resveratrol, a natural
compound that has been found to have
anti-cancer qualities.
A leader in berry growing and
processing is Jasper Wyman & Son.
Located in the state of Maine, Wyman’s®
is still family owned, and the continued
commitment to this original vision,
along with unparalleled support, has
made Wyman’s the largest US supplier
of premium Wild Blueberry products.
Wyman’s is also a premium supplier of
Boysenberries, Raspberries, Cranberries
and Strawberries. You can find out
more about blueberries and their health
benefits on their website at www.
wymans.com.
Cherries
Montmorency cherries are known for
their many health benefits, and they are
loaded with antioxidants. Some of the
antioxidant activity in cherries can help
fight inflammation. Cherries also have a
natural ibuprofen substance, and many
consumers eat dried cherries or drink
cherry juice for arthritis, joint aches,
or other aches and pains. Also, some
athletes consume cherries before and
MOONEY FARMS AD PROOF
after competition for quick pain recovery.
Shoreline Fruit is North America’s
largest cherry grower, with over 6,000
acres of orchards and processing facilities
in Michigan and western New York. They
strive to produce some of the finest dried
fruit that is grown in the Great Lakes
region of the U.S. and Canada. They
offer sweetened dried Montmorency
sour cherries, cherry juice and cherry
powder. In addition, they offer a full line
Summer 2011
17

of dried blueberry and dried cranberry
products. All of the dried fruit produced
by Shoreline is 100% natural- no
preservatives, flavor enhancers or colors
are added.
The health benefits of cherries and
other dried fruits are gaining attention
worldwide explains Mr. Joseph Lothamer
of Shoreline; “the health benefit message
of all dried fruit is partly driving the
worldwide demand for these type of
18
products. Dried cherries and dried
blueberries are especially benefiting
because it seems buyers are keenly aware
of what’s being reported in the media,
and they are responding to consumers
wanting more of these types of food
products.
Shoreline Fruit has an extensive web
site that talks about the health benefits of
cherries at www.shorelinefruit.com and
on their site consumers are also guided
to the cherry industry’s promotion
program, the Cherry Marketing
Institute’s web site for additional health
benefit information.
Cranberries:
Cranberries have long been recognized
for their potential health benefits,
including prevention of urinary tract
infections, gum disease and cardiovascular
disease. Recent scientific research
shows that cranberries and cranberry
products contain significant amounts of
antioxidants and other phytonutrients
that may also help protect against heart
disease, cancer and other diseases.
At Graceland Fruit, cranberries are
the way nature makes them — naturally
red — and you can see the difference.
The quality of Graceland’s infused dried
cranberries is evident in the dynamic
natural color that starts with the highest
quality cranberries and is maintained
in the production process. Through
patented technologies, Graceland is
able to control the infusion and drying
process in a gentle manner, retaining the
natural red cranberry color and the high
vitamin content that is naturally found in
cranberries.
Dried Plums
Dried plums are naturally sweet, fat
free, and loaded with: fiber (one whole
gram per prune!), vital vitamins A, B, C
and E, potassium, magnesium, and iron.
Prunes have also proven to be staunch
allies in the fight against certain types of
cancer and a study from Tufts University
in Boston indicates that prunes may help
slow down the aging process in both the
body and the brain.
Nutrient-dense dried plums are
also high in plant substances called
polyphenols–strong antioxidants that
help: neutralize cellular damage, decrease
inflammation, prevent cancer, protect
DNA against damage.
When is the best time to harvest
prunes? One of the secrets of growing

a juicier, tastier plum is to know exactly
how long the prunes can stay on the
tree before they are harvested. At Taylor
Brothers Farm, they harvest late in the
season, when prunes achieve higher
sugar and solids content, and their flavor
is at its peak. Today, Taylor Brothers
Farms grows organic prunes, almonds,
and walnuts in Sutter County.
Tomatoes & Lycopene
Lycopene is what gives tomatoes,
watermelon, pink grapefruit, apricots
and other red fruits and vegetables
their red color. This pigment acts as an
antioxidant in the body, protecting cells
against damage from the free radicals
formed when body cells burn oxygen for
energy.
Lycopene is not produced in the body,
so you can only obtain its benefits by
eating foods rich in lycopene. Cooked
or processed tomato products, such as
spaghetti sauce, tomato juice, ketchup
pizza sauce and sun dried tomatoes
are all major sources of lycopene in
the typical American diet. Lycopene is
better absorbed by the body when it is
consumed in cooked tomato products,
rather than fresh tomatoes. In one
study, heat processing released up to
2.5 times the lycopene from tomatoes,
making it more available and absorbable
in the body. Also, because lycopene
is fat-soluble, adding a little oil helps
absorption too.
One product that is a delicious source
of this potent antioxidant is sun dried
tomatoes in olive oil. Ounce per ounce
sun dried tomatoes have 12 times the
amount of Lycopene than a raw tomato!
Recent studies show that a tomato rich
diet is associated with a reduced risk of
certain conditions including; Prostate
cancer, digestive disorders, breast, lung
and cervical cancers, and heart disease.
A leading U.S. supplier of sun dried
tomatoes is Mooney Farms. They pack
all of their products in 100% pure olive
oil, so you get double the health benefits!
http://www.sahagianinc.com/ (708) 848-5552
NET WT. 1 LB (453.6g)
To find out more about Mooney Farms
and their delicious products visit www.
mooneyfarms.
Eating your fruits and vegetables
may not prevent cancer altogether, but
can give your body the fighting chance
that it needs. Antioxidant and lycopene
supplements are available today, but
are the most powerful when found in
whole foods. Eat the recommended 5 to
9 servings of fruits and vegetables each
day and you’ll be on your way to healthier
living.
* Sources:
Graceland Fruit Website, Jasper Wyman
& Son Website, Journal of Agricultural
and Food Chemistry, 2004. 52: 4026-
4037, Mooney Farms website, Taylor
Brothers Website, The Cranberry Institute
Website, USDA Website
MADE IN
AMERICA
Summer 2011 19

Foodsource Inc.
Make Them Your One Source
FoodSource has been a global supplier
of nuts and dried fruit for nine years. Our
focus is on building long-term, trusting
relationships with both growers and
customers. Our nuts and dried fruit come
from the top growers, shippers, packers,
and manufacturers in the United States.
Over the last decade, FoodSource has
developed a major market share in the
customer base across significant parts of
Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and
FoodSource hat ein weltweit tätiger
Anbieter worden von Nüssen und
getrockneten Früchten, 9 Jahre. Unsere
Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf den Aufbau
langfristiger, vertrauensvoller Beziehungen
mit Erzeugern und Kunden. Unsere Nüsse
und getrocknete Früchte kommen von der
Spitze Züchter, Verlader, Verpacker und
Hersteller in den Vereinigten Staaten. In
den letzten zehn Jahren hat FoodSource
entwickelt einen großen Marktanteil in
der Kundenbasis in wesentliche Teile der
Asien, dem Mittleren Osten, Nordafrika
und Europe. Unsere Firma Mission ist es,
die sein Hand von Nüssen und getrockneten
32
Europe. Our company mission is to be the
single source of nuts and dried fruit for
manufacturers, importers and distributors
worldwide. You could say that we are truly
your single source for nuts and dried fruit!
This has been underpinned by a breadth
of close partnerships with the grower
community in the U.S. that allows us to
offer customers a wide selection of products,
varieties, grades and sizes. We emphasize
quality and reliability as paramount to our
Früchten Hersteller, Importeure und Händler
weltweit. Man könnte sagen, dass wir
wirklich sind Ihre einzige Quelle für Nüsse
und Trockenfrüchte! Dies wurde durch eine
Breite untermauert der enge Partnerschaften
mit dem Erzeuger Gemeinschaft in den
USA, die uns erlaubt bieten den Kunden
eine breite Auswahl an Produkten, Sorten,
Qualitäten und Größen. wir betonen
Qualität und uverlässigkeit als wichtigstes
Ziel, unsere Geschäftsbeziehungen. Wenn
es um die Nüsse geht, sind wir spezialisiert
auf Mandeln, Cashewnüsse, Haselnüsse,
Macadamianüsse, Pekannüsse, Pistazien,
Sonnenblumenkerne und Walnüsse. Unsere
business relationships.
When it comes to nuts, we specialize in
Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Macadamias,
Pecans, Pistachios, Sunflower Seeds and
Walnuts. Our dried fruit line includes
Blueberries, Cranberries, Prunes and Raisins.
If you would like to obtain more information
on the services we can provide, please contact
us at FoodSource, Inc., +1 (630) 887-8590,
314 Sunrise Ave, Willowbrook , IL 60527 or
e-mail at syed@foodsource.us.
getrockneten Früchten umfasst Blaubeeren,
Cranberries, Pflaumen und Rosinen.
Wenn Sie gerne mehr Informationen zu
erhalten auf die Dienstleistungen, die wir
bieten können, wenden Sie sich bitte uns
auf FoodSource, Inc., +1 (630) 887-8590,
314 Sunrise Ave, Willowbrook, IL 60527
oder E-Mail an syed@foodsource.us.

Rao’s Specialty Foods, Inc.
Traditional Italian Delicacies
The history of Rao’s Specialty Foods,
Inc. dates back as far as 1896, when
Mr. Charles Rao laid the foundation
stone for the enterprise by establishing
a small saloon in New York City. More
than a century later, the business
continues to remain in the hands of
the Rao family.
Southern Italian cuisine is the
key to its success, and for many
generations, the Rao family has been
refining and designing mouth-watering
recipes for a wealth of delicacies that are
served in the Rao’s restaurants located
in New York and Las Vegas and, since
1994, in private homes nationwide.
Sharon Straci, Rao’s Partner and
Chief Operating Officer, is responsible
for defining and implementing Rao’s
Specialty Foods’ product strategy and
business development worldwide.
Sharon heads a team of 16 dedicated
members of staff, all of whom refer to
Sharon as, “The Woman
Behind The Sauce”.
Rao’s Specialty
Foods has
developed a range
of products for the
retail trade. The
portfolio is made up
of delicious tomato
sauces in eleven
different flavors.
Rao’s sauces are
made from natural
ingredients such as Italian
plum tomatoes and fresh vegetables.
The range of sauces includes a new
flavorsome and naturally sweet Rao’s
Pizza Sauce made with Italian cherry
tomatoes, and Rao’s famous award-
winning Marinara Sauce, a
traditional slow-simmered
sauce made with fresh
garlic, fresh onions and
fresh basil. New to the
line is a Sensitive Formula
Marinara Sauce made with
vine ripened Italian plum
and cherry tomatoes but
without onions or garlic and
with lower sodium.
Other sauce options include Rao’s
Tomato Basil Sauce made with fresh
aromatic basil, Rao’s Vodka Sauce, a
velvety blend of tomatoes, parmesan
and romano cheeses and vodka, Rao’s
Southern Italian Garden Vegetable
Sauce made with sweet red and green
peppers, fresh onions and fresh
mushrooms, Rao’s Puttanesca Sauce
with tomatoes, anchovies, capers
and olives, Rao’s Roasted Eggplant
Siciliana Sauce made with freshly
roasted eggplant, spicy Rao’s
Arrabbiata Sauce with
crushed red pepper,
and two very flavorful
meat sauces, Cuore di
Pomodoro Sauce made
with prosciutto, and
Rao’s Italian Sausage and
Mushroom Sauce.
Rao’s sauce varieties are
available in 90 oz/ 2.55
kg Foodservice sized cans
and 24oz glass jars.
In addition to sauces,
Rao’s also offers a selection of dressings
and marinades, extra virgin olive oil,
organic vinegar, aged balsamic vinegar,
artisan Italian pasta and antipasti
such as the fire roasted red peppers
with pignoli nuts
and white raisins
and roasted
red peppers
with Portobello
mushrooms.
Throughout
the years, Rao’s
has become a very reputable and
marketable name known for its high
quality. Customers trust Rao’s to supply
quality specialty food made from the
finest and freshest ingredients. As a
result, its customer base is extensive
and includes supermarkets, specialty
markets, restaurants, health food
stores, and organizations involved in
the hospitality trade.
With the introduction of the food
service line, Rao’s Specialty Foods has
thus taken a further step in its ongoing
expansion strategy as it introduces the
flavors of southern Italian cuisine to its
customers worldwide.
Rao’s Specialty Foods, Inc.
17 Battery Place, Suite 610
New York, New York, 10004
Tel: 212-269-0151
Fax: 212-344-8708
www.raos.com
Summer 2011 37

Hilltop Ranch, Inc.
Bringing California almonds to you
Hilltop Ranch, Inc. is one of the world’s
largest almond processors, handling
over 25,000 tons and shipping to over 65
countries. Its integrated operations include
farming, hulling, shelling, cleaning, sizing,
40
sorting, grading, lab analysis, packing,
trucking, and exporting.
Hilltop’s product-line includes in-shell
almonds, whole natural almonds (CCOF
organic and conventional) and manufactured
almonds such as blanched sliced, slivered,
splits, diced and meal.
The company, founded in 1980 by David
and Christine Long with the purchase of an
almond orchard, became an almond handler
in 1984 and has grown steadily. A new
processing plant was built in 2002, followed
by major expansions in 2006 and 2008. In
late 2009 a 2 hectare solar energy system
was installed that generates approximately
75% of the power used in processing. In early
2011 Hilltop made a major expansion in
cold storage capacity to ensure maximum
freshness year-round. The current project
is a top of the line steam pasteurizer, which
should be operational during 2012.
Hilltop’s corporate philosophy has always
been to provide growers and customers with
accurate information to help them make
educated business decisions. A reputation
for honesty with growers and customers has
helped the company reach where it is today.
Consistently providing quality that meets
or exceeds customer expectations has helped
promote the Hilltop Ranch brand. Knowing
their customers’ individual requirements
assures that quality as well as documentation
meet or exceed customer expectations.
Hilltop exports directly from the United
States, through exclusive distributors in
a few select countries, and from bonded
warehouses in Europe.
Exports make up about three-fourths
of shipments for Hilltop Ranch. The more
widespread use of the Internet has made the
flow of information quicker and more direct.
Hilltop receives and welcomes e-mails every
day from companies interested in purchasing
almonds directly from the United States. At
their website, www.hilltopranch.com, you
can find extensive info on almonds, including
harvest videos, processing videos, pricing
history, and market info.

Preferred
Pioneer’s
Popcorn
Producing
20
by Lisa Mooney
Americans consume 16
billion quarts of popped popcorn
annually or 52 quarts per man,
woman and child. It is one of the
most wholesome and economical
foods available.
Approximately 70 percent is
eaten in the home (home popped
and pre-popped) and about
30 percent outside the home
(theaters, stadiums, schools, etc.).
Unpopped popcorn accounts for
approximately 90 percent of sales
for home consumption. The peak
period for popcorn sales for home
consumption is the fall.

One pioneer in this industry is
Preferred Popcorn, located in Chapman,
Nebraska.
Preferred Popcorn, LLC produces
top quality popcorn for both bulk
and microwave popcorn by having its
growers’ acres located in the heartland
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of America’s fertile, irrigated farmland.
Growers in Nebraska, South Dakota,
Indiana, and Kentucky grow Preferred
Popcorn using the newest farm
technology and green farming practices
such as no-till methods. In dry areas,
irrigation guarantees the moisture
necessary to ensure the availability of
consistent quality popcorn.
Once harvest is complete, the popcorn
is removed from the storage bins and
the second high tech processing phase
begins. The popcorn kernels are polished
and sorted by weight and size. Damaged
kernels and any foreign material in the
popcorn are discarded.
The popcorn kernels are then sent
through a color-sorting machine, which
completes the “premium” process using
the most advanced technology available.
This high-tech machine views each kernel
and determines its quality based on color.
The color must be of premium quality for
the kernel to be placed into a Preferred
Popcorn bag.
With their state-of-the-art processing,
Preferred Popcorn represents quality
in every bag of popcorn, whether bulk
popcorn for our consumers and theaters,
or microwave popcorn in one of their
five delicious flavors which include:
Butter, Extra Butter, Cheese, Natural,

and spicy Jalapeno.
Preferred Popcorn actively practices
“No-till farming” (sometimes called zero
tillage) which is a way of growing crops
from year to year without disturbing
the soil through tillage. No-till is an
emergent agricultural technique which
can increase the amount of water in the
soil and decrease erosion. It may also
increase the amount and variety of life in
and on the soil but may require increased
herbicide usage. The good news is that no
tillage or minimum tillage does not have
a significant impact on the final product.
The reward is the benefits to the soil, the
production cost, and the environment.
No till has reduced compaction in the
fields by reducing the number of trips a
farmer has to make across the field. It
also reduces the carbon released into
the atmosphere, and the amount of
petroleum needed to produce a crop.
For Preferred Popcorn that means a
consistent, high quality product at a
reasonable cost. Most U.S. farmers are
moving this direction because it makes
economic sense as well as environmental
sense.
The latest technology that Preferred
Popcorn has installed in their
manufacturing facility is a robotic arm on
their bagging line. When bagging their
35 lb, 50 lb, or 20 kilo bags, the most
difficult part is picking up the heavy bags
and stacking them on a pallet. Not any
more.
An empty bag starts at the beginning
of the production line and is filled
with the exact amount of popcorn to
measurement. Next the bag runs through
the metal detectors to make sure every
bag is clean and free of debris, and the
last stop is the secondary check weigher
which insures every bag is precisely the
right weight. The robotic arm picks up
each bag at the end of the line and puts it
on a pallet stacking them perfectly. This
machine has enabled their plant be more
efficient and has increased their volume
by helping the line work faster.
To find out more about Preferred
Popcorn and their products, please
contact them at www.preferredpopcorn.
com or at (308) 986-2526.
Summer 2011 23

24
Mexico’s Marketplace
Adapt
and Change
are a Must!
by Whitney Seiter
In the past few years any type of change
or adjustment people had to make
could more than likely be blamed on
one thing and one thing only….the
economy. In fact, it seemed that things
totally unrelated to the economy were
even being blamed on the economy.
While the economy can be considered
partially responsible for changes in
the exporting market from the United
States to Mexico, a lot has happened
within the market in the past few years,
and there are quite a few other factors
besides the economy at play.
In the summer of 2010 The American
Exporter spoke with the Regional
Director for Mexico for the United
States Meat Export Federation Chad
Russell. The federation is a nonprofit
trade organization aiming to create new
markets and assist current markets that

show interest in exporting meat from
the United States. USMEF does this by
sharing their knowledge and aptitude
for their business with other companies
trying to break into the exporting
business. Russell explained how the
depreciation of the peso played a big
role in changes made when exporting
products from the United States to
Mexico. One big change was the rise
in poultry and pork being exported
to Mexico. This was combined with a
decrease in beef products, because both
poultry and pork are more competitively
priced than beef.
While things are looking a little better
this year, there is still much rebound that
needs to happen before the market is
back where it once was. Beef exporting to
Mexico dropped in 2009 and 2010, but as
of April of this year, was actually up seven
percent from previous years. The seven
percent is for variety meats, whereas the
exporting of muscle meats is only up
one percent. Russell explains why this is
occurring. “People are trading down in
protein quality, because of the current
economies of Mexico and the United
States,” Russell says. Muscle meats are
more expensive than variety meats. So
instead of purchasing the higher quality
cuts of meat, consumers are buying meat
that is of a lesser quality so their meat can
go farther.
Another factor affecting trade between
the two countries is recently added fees
that come with exporting. One reason
that exporting from the United States to
Mexico is ideal is because of the North
American Free Trade Agreement. This
agreement, which has been in place
since 1994, states that exporting is to
be duty free between Mexico and the
United States. In 2010 this was the case,
but as of 2011 NAFTA implemented
trucking duties. These were not in place
in January of 2010, but they were in place
Summer 2011
25

in January of 2011.These duties resulted
in more costs associated with exporting
between the two countries. The additional
fees might mean the difference between
exporting to Mexico or somewhere else.
As of April 2011, the pork exporting
market to Mexico was actually down eight
percent from previous years. While this
may seem like an extremely high number,
the previous two years were record setting
years, so it is hard to judge exactly what
that eight percent means. Also, corn prices
have been extremely high this past year.
This means it is more beneficial for pork
vendors to send their hogs to slaughter
instead of paying to feed and keep them so
extra inventory is being worked off.
One of the final and main factors in
play is that Mexico is a price sensitive
market. This means that they will basically
purchase from the least expensive place
and if nowhere is inexpensive enough then
they will simply not purchase the product.
26
This is partly because other places are able
to bid up the price if necessary. Russell
explains, “Asia is also importing more
pork and beef and the US supply isn’t
growing. Since these markets are able to
pay more for meat there is less of a supply
for Mexico.” Ham prices are up about
20 percent from what they were last year.
Since other countries are now competing
for the same products as Mexico, the
one who can offer the most money is
going to get the product. One example of
this would be South Korea who has also
entered the equation, as much of their
livestock has recently been lost to Foot
and Mouth disease. Since these countries
are able to pay a higher price, they end up
getting the meat that used to be sent to
Mexico.
The economy in Mexico combined
with other factors is resulting in many
changes when exporting to Mexico. While
they might not necessarily be for the
worst, they are changes that companies,
more specifically companies wanting to
continue their exporting business with
Mexico, will need to adapt to.

Chantea
New drink brings the best of Green Tea and Aloe Vera together
Aloe Vera has been used for thousands
of years, the ancient Egyptians referred to it
as the “plant of immortality” and used it as
beauty enhancer. The consumption of Aloe
Vera has also been linked to support a healthy
digestive system and detoxify the body.
On the other hand, Green tea popularity
has grown in recent years thanks to its
concentrations of antioxidants, vitamins, and
minerals, while having 75% less caffeine than
black tea or coffee.
By combining these two powerful
ingredients in a product manufactured under
high quality standards, we are able to offer a
functional drink that brings the best of Green
Tea and Aloe Vera together with delicious
flavor.
28
Functional foods and beverages that offer a
health advantage beyond basic nutrition and
include specific healthy ingredients present
to retailers a primary market position and
the opportunity to capitalize on the growing
trend.
Chantea is made of premium green tea
leaves INFUSION which provides a distinctive
and wonderful taste; the production process
takes the green tea leaves infusion directly
into the bottles to be combined with the Aloe
Vera crystals.
Chantea line of green tea products with
aloe vera, complements the strategies of
retailers whom are looking for innovation to
differentiate themselves from the competition
while offering value by delivering a high
quality product.
Gourmetti Brands Inc the company
behind this innovative product will be part
of Americas Food and Beverage show on
October 26th in Miami.
Form more information, visit www.
chantea.com.

Pure Flax Oil...
Tasty, Healthy and Beautiful!
“The quality of the product we provide makes
us smile.” This quote by Vice President of
Premium Gold Flax Deborah Miller pretty much
sums up the mindset of the entire company. The
company, which offers numerous flax products,
started from the humble beginnings of a garage
in North Dakota, and has grown into a preferred
brand for many customers.
30
Premium Gold Flax is owned by Miller
Family Farms. The company is family owned
and operated and Miller says, “How appropriate
to have Miller as a last name, because we are a
milling company.” The flax they produce is not
only tasty, but it offers many health benefits.
It is a great source of omega-3 as well as high
in protein and low in carbohydrates, which is
excellent for those trying to lose or maintain
their weight. It is also extremely versatile,
and can be used in everything from bread to
brownies to smoothies. You can also use flax as a
healthy substitution for eggs, oil, and shortening
in recipes. These substitutions along with many
delicious recipes can be found on Premium Gold
Flax’s website.
Premium Gold Flax currently offers a variety
of flax products including their most popular
Dash O’ Flax, which is a unique shaker product
and can be used like a condiment. Premium
Gold’s specialty is golden omega variety
flax which is, as many of their products are,
organically certified. For a company that is,
“All about flax,” it is extremely important that
their products are organic and natural and that
they have absolutely no genetically modified
organisms.
Located 80 miles from any major city, the
company is rural, but in the heartland of
farming. The rural area means the company’s
main source of advertising is word-of-mouth.
This has proven to be more than sufficient for
this quickly growing company. Great references
and referrals from satisfied customers have
lead to many opportunities for the company to
introduce their products in new and exciting
ways. Miller says one of the biggest compliments
their company can receive is when other
companies, one specific example being a bacon
production company, want to include Premium
Gold Flax in their products. As the company sees
continuous growth, this is just one of the ways
they are proving to be the best in the business.
The company is adding to their line of tasty
and healthy products very shortly with beautiful,
pure flax oil. They are currently working on
packaging and will hopefully introduce it to
the public in May. This is just one example of
the company striving towards new and exciting
products. Miller also hinted at the introduction
of some other exciting products, but the flax
world will just have to wait until the products
reach the extremely high standards held by
Premium Gold Flax and Miller Family Farms.