The Checkout: Capital City Brings Mambo Sauce To KFC; U.S. Identity Preserved Certification Launches

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Capital City Brings Its Mambo Sauce To KFC

Washington D.C.-based specialty foods manufacturer Capital City announced that beginning this week, its Sweet Hot mambo sauce will be available at select KFC locations in the D.C., Dallas and Atlanta areas for a limited time. The brand, which began in founder Arsha Jones’ kitchen after she struggled to find the locally rooted condiment following a move to the suburbs, has expanded nationwide in the ten years since its initial launch.

“KFC has given Capital City a huge opportunity to highlight a culture that many don’t get a chance to experience,” said Arsha Jones, CEO and Co-Founder of Capital City, LLC, in a press release. “When visitors think of Washington, D.C., they envision museums, government and politics, but there’s a huge community just beyond those few blocks that has a rich history filled with styles, music, lingo and food all our own. We are proud to be able to partner with KFC to share our culture with more people.”

The sauce is synonymous with Black food culture in D.C., according to Capital City, and was made famous by chicken wing restaurants before it was later adopted into Chinese and Korean cuisine due to its sweet and hot flavor. Capital City’s Mambo sauce is made with a tomato base infused with cayenne and habanero pepper and is the first commercially bottled version of the local condiment.

The sauce will be available with any order of a KFC Chicken Sandwich Combo Meal, 4-piece Extra Crispy Tenders Combo Meal and 2-piece Extra Crispy Breast & Wing Combo Meal, or can be added to any menu item for an additional price at participating locations.

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance Launch U.S. Identity Preserved Certification

In support of food traceability for manufacturers, processors and exporters, The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) have created the U.S. Identity Preserved quality assurance program, designating a “verifiable origin” of soy and grain crops through the new certification. This designation signifies that the grain’s origin has been tracked from the field and “throughout the process of production, processing, packaging and distribution.”

The organization cited increased demand by consumers for food traceability as a primary driver behind this program. The certification ensures that consumers can be confident in their choice of grains when looking for a product with specific qualities associated with geographical origins, including its variety, protein and sugar levels, color, bean size and flavor.

“With our U.S. Identity Preserved designation, we’re delivering a quality assurance plan that brings together the U.S. IP industry and reinforces the United States as a quality origin for those IP crops,” said Eric Wenberg, executive director, Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance, in a press release. “U.S. Identity Preserved will help U.S. processors and exporters broaden access and open more foreign markets, as well as better compete in the international market.”

The identity-preserving designation is only earned by producers who participate from pre-planting to after the final harvest as the program requires growers to comply with rules such as avoiding cross-contamination, adhering to field verifications and program audits, custody verification, proper labeling and product identification, among a range of additional checks and assurances.

“This program enhances our offerings in sustainable, traceable and regenerative products ensuring a stable, consistent and healthy global food supply,” said Rob Prather, chief strategic ambassador at Global Processing Inc. in a press release.

Kraft Heinz To Combine U.S. and Canada Businesses

The Kraft Heinz Company announced earlier this week that it has begun the process of combining its U.S. and Canadian businesses and by early Q2 2022. According to the company, the newly formed North America zone will support its sustainable growth plan and will increase the speed to market of new innovations.

The new zone will be led by Carlos Abrams-Rivera, the current U.S. Zone President and will include the reorganization of the business into three commercial units including ‘Taste, Meals, and Away From Home,’ led by the company’s current President, Latin America, Pedro Navio; ‘Fresh, Beverages, and Desserts,’ led by current President of Enhancers, Specialty, and Away From Home, Steve Cornell; and ‘Canada and North America Coffee,’ led by Adam Butler, currently the President of Kids, Snacks, and Beverages.

The strategy, introduced during Kraft Heinz’s Investors Day event in September 2020, will bring “increased agility to its innovation agenda, operations, and go-to-market approach.” According to the global food and beverage company, its U.S. and Canadian businesses accounted for over 80% of its net sales in 2020.

“As consumer, customer, and employee needs change, we must be in a position to anticipate, adjust, and respond with speed,” said Miguel Patricio, Chief Executive Officer of Kraft Heinz, in a press release. “Combining our U.S. and Canada businesses—two dynamic Zones—gives us a distinct advantage and will produce faster, more effective results so we can continue investing in our strategic plan and driving sustainable growth. While this is an evolution to our structure, it is part of a broader revolution in how we will work at Kraft Heinz going forward.”

As part of the structural changes, Kraft Heinz’s current Canada zone president Bruno Keller will assume the role of Latin American President, and Robert Scott, formerly of Abbott Nutrition, will join the company as President of Research & Development for the North America zone. The company said structural changes will continue into early 2022.

Forever Cheese Brings On Specialty Food Veteran Tyler Hawes

Specialty food importer Forever Cheese announced its “next phase of growth” yesterday, naming specialty food industry veteran and founder of Grand Ferry Capital Tyler Hawes as its new CEO. The company’s co-founders Michelle Buster, who serves as Vice President, and Pierluigi Sini will remain shareholders and in their current positions.

Founded over two decades ago, the company is an importer of artisan cheeses, nuts, cured meats and other gourmet products from Italy, Spain, Portugal and Croatia into the U.S.

“I have long admired Forever Cheese and feel privileged to join the organization and its talented team,” said Hawes in a press release. “Michele and Pierluigi have built a business with an incredible foundation and stellar reputation for quality and integrity. I am excited to continue the deep relationships and work with them, the team, our customers and suppliers to partner for the company’s future.”

Hawes brings over 15 years of executive-level experience in the industry to his new role at Forever Cheese, having most recently served as President & COO of Roland Foods. In addition to experience, Hawes has worked with Forever Cheese for over a decade as both a customer and supplier.

“Because of our longstanding relationship and [Tyler’s] passion for Forever Cheese, we knew he was the ideal choice to steward the company into its next chapter and lead the business as CEO,” said Buster and Sini in a press release. “We are excited to continue to work closely with the team and Tyler to support the transition and help achieve the next phase of growth.”