Mission Foods
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| Mission Foods | |
|---|---|
| Type | Public (NYSE: GMK) |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Irving, Texas, USA |
| Key people | Juan Fernando Roche, President |
| Industry | Consumer Package Goods |
| Employees | More than 5,700 |
| Website | www.missionmenus.com |
Mission Foods, a subsidiary of Gruma Corporation (Gruma, NYSE: GMK) is one of America’s leading manufacturers of tortillas and tortilla-related products. Mission Foods is based in Irving, Texas.
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[edit] History
The company we know as Mission Foods today had its beginnings in 1949 when Don Roberto Gonzalez and his father formed the company Gruma S.A. in Monterrey, Mexico, and revolutionized the corn flour and tortilla industries. Prior to that time, corn flour - corn masa - was produced in essentially the same labor-intensive way originated by the Aztecs hundreds of years earlier. Don Roberto Gonzalez envisioned a better way and replaced the old Nixtamal stone-grinding process with a radically more efficient hammer milling process. This new process resulted in a superior - corn flour - Maseca corn flour with a more controllable, more uniform particle size. It also resulted in higher yield with less labor and waste than the old fashioned method. Mission Foods was originally founded as a subsidiary of Grupo Maseca (now Gruma) in California in 1977 as a brand name to sell these Maseca tortillas in the American marketplace. This foray proved so successful that a tortilla manufacturing plant was soon opened in Dallas in 1982 in order to capitalize on this burgeoning market. Since that time Mission Foods has continued to expand and now has 19 plants in America and many more worldwide.
[edit] Sponsorships
The Mission brand is proud to be a sponsor of Healthy Kids Challenge (HKC), a non-profit organization led by registered, licensed dietitians whose mission it is to guide schools, community organizations, and businesses in creating solutions for kids and families to enjoy healthy eating and physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Originally created in 1998 for Cooking Light Magazine by the founding and current director, Vickie L. James, RD, LD, the organization began as a pilot program to guide schools in providing kids with simple and fun ways to support healthy eating and physical activity lifestyle habits. Today, Healthy Kids Challenge (HKC) is one of the nation’s leading non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting healthy habits. HKC reaches over 4 million people in all 50 states through schools and community based youth programs, health promotion, and training.
[edit] Product Lines
Mission Foods has a wide range of tortilla options ranging from the traditional corn and flour tortillas to whole wheat and flavored varieties. Most of Mission Foods products are classified as Kosher. Look for the Kosher symbol on our packaging.
[edit] New in 2008
Mission Stone Ground Tortilla Strips are made with a unique blend of stone-ground yellow and white corn to create a heartier, tastier chip. The 14-ounce bags contain zero trans fat per serving. The strips became available in grocery stores nationwide, March 2008.
Mission Organic Stone Ground Tortilla Chips are made with wholesome, USDA -certified organic ingredients (95% organic). The blend of stone-ground yellow and white corn creates a crunchy, satisfying and most importantly, organic tortilla chip that the whole family will enjoy. The 10-ounce bag contains zero trans fat per serving. The chips became available in grocery stores nationwide, March 2008.
Mission Caramel Twists are a crunchy caramel-flavored wheat snack. The 2.25-ounce bag contains zero trans fat per serving. The twists became available in grocery stores nationwide, March 2008.
Mission Super Thin Tortilla Triangles taste just like the chips you enjoy at your favorite Mexican restaurant. They’re made from 100% white corn tortillas, pressed thin, random-cut and quick fried to a delicate, crispy crunch, creating the true, authentic taste of restaurant-style chips. The 14-ounce bag contains zero trans fat per serving. Mission Super Thin Tortilla Chips became available in grocery stores in Texas and the Western and North Central US in March 2008.
[edit] Mission Foods Core Product Lines
Mission Foods flour tortillas contain no lard or cholesterol and are available in original flour and home-style in fajita (6"), soft taco (8"), and wrap/burrito (10") sizes.
Mission Foods corn tortillas are a naturally low-fat, low-sodium food and contain calcium, potassium and fiber. They’re available in white (no lard or trans fats) and yellow corn, original, extra thin and super size (and homestyle, i.e., estilo casero).
Mission Foods 96% Fat Free “Heart Healthy” Tortillas come with added flaxseed as an ingredient to increase Omega 3 fatty acids, which are proven to promote healthy levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. These tortillas are available in flour and whole wheat in fajita (6"), soft taco (8"), and wrap/burrito (10") sizes.
Mission Foods Carb Balance Tortillas have as few as five net grams of carbs per tortilla, depending upon tortilla size, and “deliver the balanced protein-carb-fat ratio that most dietitians recommend.” The tortillas are available in flour and whole wheat in fajita (6"), soft taco (8"), and burrito (10") sizes.
Mission Foods Multi-Grain Tortillas are made with 100% whole grains and have as much fiber as whole-wheat bread and retains the B vitamins, protein, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats that are lost in refined grains. These tortillas are available in fajita (6"), soft taco (8"), and wrap/burrito (10") sizes.
Mission Wraps are a full 10" in diameter and are available in Original, Garden Spinach Herb, Jalapeno Cheddar, Multi-Grain, Sun dried Tomato Basil and Zesty Garlic Herb flavors.
Mission Foods Tortilla Chips: Mission Foods offers numerous lines of tortilla chips ranging from Restaurant Style to Cilantro Lime flavors. Tortilla chips come in strips, rounds, or triangles.
Mission Foods Dips and Toppings: Mission Foods offers many varieties of dips and toppings ranging from the traditional salsas to cheese and bean dips.
Mission Foods Tostadas and Taco Shells: Mission offers a full line of tostada and taco shells made with Maseca corn flour and prepared using 100% vegetable oil.
Mission Foods Chicharrones: Mission Foods carries several lines of chicharrones, a Spanish and Latin American snack food comprised of deep-fried pork skins and seasonings.
[edit] Controversy
Controversy arose after six Somalian women filed a religious discrimination complaint with the EEOC over Mission Food's uniform policy. The women, who asserted that the uniform were immodest by religious standards, were, according to a statement, "relieved of their responsibilities for the time being, and may ultimately lose their jobs if they don’t wear uniforms."[1] A company spokesperson noted that she could not offer photos of the uniforms.[1]
