News Releases for April 2005
April 21, 2005
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Hoeven: North Dakota Sunbutter, USDA Partnership A National Success
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today said that more than 600,000 pounds of North Dakota SunButter has been sold to school lunch programs in 12 states so far in 2005. SunButter, a sunflower seed product with a texture and taste similar to peanut butter, was developed in 2001 by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists in cooperation with Red River Commodities of Fargo. Red River Commodities, Inc. markets SunButter.
“SunButter, which began just five years ago as an experiment in cooperation with the USDA, is now on school lunch tables across the country,” Hoeven said. “It is a delicious new food, a real benefit for children with peanut butter allergies and a source of profit for North Dakota farmers and processors seeking new markets. It also represents the kind of success we can have when the USDA and states work together.”
“I am pleased that with the help of this new sunflower seed butter we are able to help schools meet the needs of students with allergies,” Johanns said. “This partnership illustrates the types of applied research initiatives we can accomplish when we work together toward a common goal to benefit consumers and enhance economic opportunities.”
Red River Commodities, Inc. President Bob Majkrzak said, “The incredible response to the original SunButter led us to immediately develop additional versions. We now have the Original Creamy, Honey Crunch, Natural and Natural Crunch for the different specialized markets. Our goal has been from the beginning to develop and maintain peanut and tree nut free foods that are healthy, nutritious and that taste great. The USDA allowed us to introduce our new product more quickly. We are currently looking at adding additional products to our SunButter product line as well as expand to other markets both in this country and overseas"
Red River Commodities, Inc. brought the idea to USDA in 2000. In 2001, USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists researched, developed and produced a product with the appearance, taste and texture of peanut butter. A new subsidiary was formed called SunGold Foods to market SunButter and other food products. The product was initially introduced into local markets in North Dakota and Minneapolis, and in 2003 into the health food and industrial ingredient markets. In 2004, SunButter achieved USDA Commodity Status, opening the door to large-scale sales under the National School Lunch Program.
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