Vendor of the Year: 2008

Ruiz Foods, Inc. – 3rd generation family with a love of Mexican food

Fred Ruiz and his father, Louis, founded Ruiz Foods in 1964. It was the dream of a father and son team. In just 45 years, Ruiz Foods has become the largest frozen Mexican food manufacturing company in the United States. Corporate headquarters are located in Dinuba, California with three manufacturing facilities and two distribution warehouses in California and Texas.

Ruiz currently ranks second among the top 500 Hispanic-owned manufacturing firms in the United States and first among the top 10 U.S. Hispanic-owned companies in the State of California.

Today, at the company’s helm, are third generation Kim Ruiz Beck, the elder daughter of Co Chairman and Co CEO Fred Ruiz, is Co Chairman. Bryce Ruiz, the elder son, is President and Co CEO.

Ruiz Foods’ signature El Monterey brand began by featuring Burritos, Enchiladas and Tamales. Today, with over 200 sku’s, Ruiz Foods offers a wide variety of great tasting Mexican food to all channels of distribution introducing exciting products and flavor profiles that offer the consumer the quality and value they want.

All El Monterey brand frozen Mexican food products feature fresh tortillas baked on site in the private Ruiz bakery, authentic Mexican spices and a flavor profile that is always enjoyable, favorable and cravable.

Ruiz Foods, known for its innovation, revolutionized the snack and handheld category with the introduction of El Monterey Flour and Corn Tortillas many years ago. Now a snack, meal and party favorite, El Monterey Taquitos are available in both chicken and shredded beef flavors. But innovation didn’t stop there.

Six years ago Ruiz Foods introduced Tornados to the convenience store ‘hot-to-go’ consumer. Made specifically for the roller grill, Tornados revolutionized the industry providing a wide variety of flavors perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack – even dessert. Recently, the Tornado has been introduced to the retail consumer – at their request – because ‘we want to enjoy them at home, too.’ Easy to heat and easy to eat, Tornados are available in six exciting flavors:

Ranchero Beef and Cheese Tornados
Grilled Chicken and Cheese Tornados
Chicken Club Tornados
Southwest Chicken Tornados
Cheesy Pepper Jack Tornados
Cheesy Pepperoni Tornados

But innovation doesn’t stop there … ‘From our family to yours,’ the Ruiz family believes that El Monterey has become America’s best-selling brand of frozen Mexican food because products offered to consumers have remained true to the family’s Mexican heritage – by knowing what great Mexican food is and by knowing how to create the flavors American families love. That’s why, when consumers try El Monterey Family Size Entrees, they taste the difference in every bite. From the ingredients selected to the sauces created, each bursts with flavor without being too hot. El Monterey Family Entrees … in five fabulous flavors … perfect for a family of four … all for less than $10:

Spicy Beef Enchiladas
Chicken Enchiladas
Cheese Enchiladas
Chicken Mexicana

The company has been featured on the covers of Hispanic Business Magazine, Hispanic Trends Magazine while products from their signature El Monterey line have been featured on episodes of the Food Network’s hit show ‘Unwrapped’ (2005 and 2003) and Lifetime Television’s “The Balancing Act” (2009).

Ruiz Foods is dedicated to premium quality, authentically prepared frozen Mexican foods selling to all channels of distribution: retail, convenience store, clubs, vending, industrial and foodservice. The signature brand is El Monterey®. Ruiz is the market leader within the frozen Mexican food category and manufactures the #1 Brand of frozen Mexican food in the U.S.

Giant thanks and congratulates are great Vendor Partner, Ruiz Foods, for their proactive and outstanding performance in 2008. Their find quality El Monterey Products brought rich diverse additions, to the Giant Product Assortment.