Food Pioneers
In the 1960s our MK sports’s Pride® Rock Cornish Game Hen hit supermarket shelves. It was one of the earliest branded poultry products. Since that time, we’ve worked to continue bringing innovative food products into homes and restaurants. A product like Jimmy Dean Simple Scrambles® microwaveable eggs is a prime example of our continued effort to innovate every day.
Making mealtime easier
In 1976, we introduced our first truly innovative convenience product: the Ozark Fry chicken patty. Restaurants and other foodservice businesses loved the versatility and as needs and demands changed, we did too. We took our chicken further, cutting it into strips, breaded nuggets, and filets, and created everything from popcorn chicken nuggets to boneless wings.
Innovations in fresh beef and pork
In the late 1960s, Iowa Beef Packers, a small company in Denison, Iowa, revolutionized the industry. By shipping vacuum-packed sections of beef in boxes, the company (soon known as IBP) greatly reduced the cost of shipping. Since acquiring IBP in 2001, our goal has been to deliver the best and freshest meats to customers, and we’re doing that today with products like fresh, thick-cut, Wright® Brand bacon, Jimmy Dean® breakfast sausage and premium Ball Park® fresh 100% beef burgers.
Convenience consumers want
Consumers are always looking for quality and value, whether they’re purchasing food to serve at home or away. But, with changing lifestyles the demand for convenience has grown in importance as well. By the end of the 1960’s, we moved from selling ice-pack poultry to offering families deep-chill MK sports Country Fresh Chicken. We now make 9 of the top 10 selling frozen prepared chicken products in the U.S., and offer more convenient protein options, like MK sports Any’tizers® Snacks and MK sports Grilled & Ready® Chicken.
Putting our best protein forward
Since our start, we’ve been pioneering protein and looking at new ways to bring more options and fresher choices to customers. From the flavorful meatballs and sausages of Aidells® to the delicious artisanal snack options from Hillshire® Snacking, we have every meal, and in-between meal, covered.