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Historical Highlights

2008

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June - Ruiz Foods Ranks 16th Among the Top 500 Hispanic-Owned Businesses in the United States According to the June 2008 Issue of Hispanic Business Magazine

According to Hispanic Business Magazine, June 2008, Ruiz Foods ranks 1st among the top 10 U.S. Hispanic-owned manufacturing companies in the State of California and 16th among the top 500 Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States.

Ruiz Logo

2007

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July - Ruiz Foods Receives the 2007 Supplier of the Year Award from the Southern California Minority Business Development Council

Ruiz Foods was awarded the 2007 Supplier of the Year Award in the Class IV category by the Southern California Minority Business Development Council. Judging was based on the following criteria: history, growth, and development of the company; major obstacles that were overcome; demonstrated growth in sales and employment; quality of products and services; delivery performance; servicing; competitiveness and major customers; MBE to MBE purchases; and community involvement and major accomplishments.

Southern California Minority Business Development Councel Inc. Logo

June - Ruiz Foods Ranks 18th Among the Top 500 Hispanic-Owned Businesses in the United States According to the June 2007 Issue of Hispanic Business Magazine

According to Hispanic Business Magazine, June 2007, Ruiz Foods ranks 1st among the top 10 U.S. Hispanic-owned manufacturing companies in the State of California and 18th among the top 500 Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States.

Ruiz Logo

June - Fred Ruiz Honored with California State University, Fresno Ag One Foundation Community Salute Award

California State University, Fresno Ag One Foundation honored Fred R. Ruiz during the 2007 Ag One Community Salute Award Dinner for his support of California agriculture and commitment to the community. He is the 12th Community Salute honoree.

AG Community Salute 2007

March - Ruiz Foods Named a "Rising Star" in Food Processing Magazine's Annual "Transforming a Vision Into Success" Story Issue.

Ruiz Foods is featured as a "Rising Star" in the March 2007 issue of Food Processing. In the article, "Different is Good", Fred Ruiz explains how he and his father transformed their personal vision into a successful company.

Food Processing Magazine

2006

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October - Fred Ruiz Inducted into Frozen Food Hall of Fame

Fred Ruiz was inducted into the Frozen Food Hall of Fame during the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention, in Orlando, Florida. Fred Ruiz is the Chairman, Co-Founder and CEO of Ruiz Foods. The Frozen Food Hall of Fame was established in 1990 to honor those individuals whose dedication and hard work have greatly benefited the industry.

Fred Ruiz Frozen Food Hall of Fame

September - Fred Ruiz received the Premios Herencia del Valle/Valley Heritage Award

Honoring the Best of California's Central Valley, Fred Ruiz was selected in the Business category recognizing a Latino/Latina who has, through their expertise and entrepreneurship, become a role model for other businesses. Fred Ruiz accepts this award on behalf of all Ruiz Team Members.

Premious Herencia del Valle

August - Hispanic Magazine

Fred Ruiz was presented with the Business and Entrepreneurship Award for 2006 at Hispanic Magazine's Award dinner in San Francisco. Other recipients included Government Award: Manny Diaz, Miami Mayor; Community Development Award: Anthony Romero, Executive Director of American Civil Liberties Union; Arts and Entertainment Award: American Ferrera, Actress; Science and Technology Award: Dr. Alejandro Sanchez Alvardo, Regenerative Medicine; Media and Communication Award: John Quinones, ABC Prime and ABC 20/20 Journalist and Reporter.

Hispanic Magaine - Freid Ruiz

August - The City of Dinuba dedicated the "Louis F. Ruiz Park"

Both family and Ruiz Team Members celebrated the dedication of the "Louis F. Ruiz Park" with Mr. Louis Ruiz, Co-Founder of Ruiz Foods. Community Officials were also in attendance.

Louis F Ruiz Park

June - Ruiz Foods Ranks 2nd Among the Top 10 U.S. Hispanic-Owned Manufacturing Firms

According to Hispanic Business Magazine, June 2006, Ruiz Foods ranks 2nd among the top 10 U.S. Hispanic-owned manufacturing firms, 1st among the top 10 U.S. Hispanic-owned companies in the state of California and 19th among the top 500 Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States.

Ruiz Logo

April - Dinuba Manufacturing Facility and Distribution Warehouse Named Plant of the Year for 2005-2006

Ruiz Foods was named Plant of the Year in the Snacks, Appetizers and Side Dishes category.

Food Plant of the Year

March - F. Bryce Ruiz appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Ruiz Foods

F. Bryce Ruiz is from the third generation of the Ruiz family and is the elder son of Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO, Fred Ruiz. He received his MBA from the University of San Diego and is currently a Board Member of the Ruiz Board of Directors.

Bryce Ruiz Chief Operating Officer

2005

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November - Fred Ruiz Named to Tortilla Industry Association Hall of Fame

Fred Ruiz was inducted into the Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) Hall of Fame during the Annual Meeting at the Gaylord Texas Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas on November 12, 2005. Fred Ruiz is the Chairman, Co-Founder and CEO of Ruiz Foods. The TIA was created in 1990 to serve the emerging tortilla industry, now the fastest growing segment of the baking industry. The TIA Hall of Fame was established in 2000 in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the association's founding to honor those key contributors who helped spark the industry's growth.

Tortilla Hall of Fame

May/June - Featured on the "Entrepreneur 100" Hispanic Trends issue cover

Full spread story on the history, growth and community involvement of Ruiz Foods.

Hispanic Trends - Entrepreneur 100

March - El Monterey Taquitos featured on Food Network

The Food Network's hit show "Unwrapped" featured Ruiz Foods and highlighted the production of El Monterey Taquitos.  Vice Chairman Kim Ruiz Beck was interviewed.

El Monterey Taquitos Featured on Food Network

2004

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October - Named “2004 Processor of the Year” by Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Magazine

“A healthy base product line. New products. Growth in new categories. Physical expansion.” These were just a few of the criteria by which Refrigerated & Frozen Foods selected Ruiz Foods as the magazine’s ‘Processor of the Year’ for 2003-2004.(quote: Refrigerated & Frozen Foods October, 2004 issue)

2004 Processor of the Year

September - Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus Louis Ruiz Inducted into Tortilla Industry Association Hall of Fame

Born in 1918 in Mexico, Louis Ruiz moved to California as a small boy. In the late 1950’s, along with his brothers, Louis opened a tortilleria where they pioneered the automation of tortilla production - moving away from mechanical “hand-thrown” tortillas. In 1964, he co-founded Ruiz Foods, playing an integral role in its success to make all of the flour tortillas (over 1 billion) and corn tortillas (over 84 million) used to manufacture each of its burritos, taquitos, enchiladas, quesadillas, tornados, etc.

Louis Ruiz Inducted into Tortilla Industry Association Hall of Fame

April - Named “2004 Food Plant of the Year - Snack, Appetizer & Side Dishes” by Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Magazine

Ruiz Foods has experienced solid and steady double-digit growth in the category since 2001 by demonstrating leadership through new customers, the growth of existing products, and the creation of new products aimed at different dayparts and eating opportunities.

2004 Food Plant of the Year

April - Featured on NBC “California Country” Television Show

California Country is a weekly TV program highlighting the people, places and things that make the Golden State the ‘envy’ of the world.

Feature on NBC California Country

January - Ruiz Foods Celebrates its 40th Anniversary

From a small warehouse in Tulare, California with the co-founders preparing and selling frozen enchiladas to over 1800 Team Members housed in a 300,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Dinuba, California, Ruiz Foods is the only full line frozen Mexican food manufacturer in the United States.

El Monterey 40th Anniversary
   

2003

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December - Named 2003 Large Business of the Year by Dinuba Chamber of Commerce

Ruiz Foods received this honor in recognition of its contribution to the growth of the community, its generosity to both the community and Company Team Members, a 12-year commitment to the City of Dinuba and the celebration of the Company's 40th Anniversary.

Dinuba Chamber of Commer Large Business of the Year 2003

October - Visited by President George W. Bush

Over 400 Ruiz Team Members and 1500 invited guests were captivated by the visit of the President of the United States to the Ruiz Foods manufacturing facility in Dinuba, California. The President spoke on Housing and the Economy and was introduced by Chairman and Co-Founder, Fred Ruiz.

Goeorge W. Bush visits Ruiz Foods manufacturing facility

June - El Monterey burritos featured on Food Network

The Food Network's hit show "Unwrapped" featured Ruiz Foods along with other manufacturers that have helped to popularize the microwave while providing an in-depth look at the appliance's history. The show highlighted El Monterey burritos as a great microwave snack and interviewed Fred Ruiz, Chairman of the Company.

El Monterey Burritos Featured on Food Network

February - Kelly Ruiz Hanchett named to Ruiz Foods Board of Directors

Hanchett is a member of the 3rd generation of the Ruiz family and has served as an Associate Board member for over 5 years. She is the youngest daughter of Chairman and Co-Founder, Fred Ruiz and has an AA in Biology and completed her education at Cal Poly with a focus on Ag Education and Animal Science. As a Board member, Hanchett will serve as the primary liason for owner initiatives.

Kelly Ruiz Hanchett

1999

Ruiz Foods. named Minority Manufacturing Firm of the Year by the San Francisco office of the Minority Business Development Agency, U. S. Department of Commerce.

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1996

Construction of a 65,000-square-foot freezer at the existing manufacturing facility and warehouse distribution center in Dinuba, CA

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1994

Fred named "Executive of the Year" by Refrigerated & Frozen Food Magazine.

One of four company's featured in Parade Magazine's annual November: "What America Eats" issue.

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Fred Ruiz Executive of the Year

1992

Fred and Louis receive the National Entrepreneurial Success Award from The United States Small Business Administration.

Ruiz Foods inducted into the United States Small Business Administration's Hall of Fame in Washington D. C.

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National Entrepreneurial Success Award

1990

Fred helps employees establish Ruiz 4 Kids - a non-profit employee volunteer organization designed to help children throughout California's San Joaquin Valley.

Construction of state-of-the art 220,000 square ft. manufacturing plant and corporate offices located on 43 acres in Dinuba, California.

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Ruiz 4 Kids Established 1990

1983

Fred and his father received the United States Small Business Persons of the Year Award. The Award was presented to Fred and Louis by President Ronald Reagan in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D. C.

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US Small Business Persons of the Year Award

1964

They dare to dream and form a company to manufacture and sell frozen Mexican foods.

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Louis Ruiz 1964

1963

Louis Ruiz is delivering groceries to farm families in California's San Joaquin Valley. His son, Fred, is attending junior college.

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Louis Ruiz 1963