Cardinal Foods LLC of Burgaw NC and Russet House of Huntingdon Quebec announce today a joint venture in a processing facility in Burgaw NC to become one of the world’s largest sweet potato fry manufacturers.
Cardinal Foods LLC, a North Carolina based IQF and frozen processor of blueberries, puree, and vegetables teams up with Russet House Inc., a global leader, and innovator in private brand and co-packing in the IQF sweet potato category. The collective experience of these two innovative food companies combined with the strategic location in North Carolina facilitates this joint venture to become a global provider of premium, innovative sweet potato products.
The joint venture will operate as Cardinal Foods and includes a 106,000 square foot food-grade processing facility that will increase overall capacities and provide a line of exceptional products.
Russet House brings their expertise in steam blanching technology which retains the natural color, nutritional value, and flavor of the sweet potato resulting in a clean label sweet potato fry that is superior in taste, nutrition, and appearance. Russet House was the first to introduce organic and non-GMO sweet potato fries to retail private brands.
Leopold Moyen, President of Russet House:
“We welcome this joint venture with Cardinal Foods to expand our capacity having been in a sold out position the past few years at our plant in Huntingdon.”
“Combining our strengths will allow us to grow while increasing support to our existing customers. This expansion will support new product innovation which is a core strength.”
Corey Barnhill, President of Cardinal Foods:
“Our processing capabilities allow us a continued focus on quality with additional capacity to provide a superb product while continuing to service growers across the eastern United States.”
One strategic benefit of the joint venture is the location in Burgaw, NC, which offers a logistical advantage with its proximity to both major interstates and the North Carolina Port of Wilmington.
Cardinal Foods specializes in healthy, convenient, added-value products made from blueberries, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash sold to national brands, leading retailers, and foodservice and distributor chains.
With decades of combined experience in producing custom and specialty product lines, this joint partnership between Cardinal Foods and Russet House will be a game-changer in the frozen processing industry.
This state-of-the-art facility triples pounds production capabilities of sweet potato fries for global sales and is equipped to customize new plant-based products to meet consumer demand.
As consumers better understand the role that food plays in their immune and overall health the demand for non-GMO clean label great tasting fruit and vegetable products will continue to grow. Product certifications include ISO 22000, Kosher, Halal, Non-GMO, Organic, Gluten-Free, and Vegan.
