JTM Food Group built its success on the tried-and-true square school hamburger, but the Harrison-based company is expanding its offerings with hundreds of new frozen food products.
"We have three chefs and an R&D team that includes food scientists. They collaborate to develop recipes, and we're creating about 130 new products this year. Right now we have about 500 total products," said JTM Director of Marketing Tom Allen.
Schools continue to make up the largest portion of JTM Food Group's customer base (the company serves schools in 49 U.S. states), but it's become much more versatile by keeping up with convenience food consumer trends.
"We call ourselves a menu solutions provider," Allen said. "What's going on in the food industry right now is a growth in Mexican food, that's growing in leaps and bounds, especially our taco meets and burrito fillings."
JTM takes food production from recipe development through packaging. The company employs 350 people and houses its corporate offices and manufacturing facilities on its Harrison campus. Those facilities include a sales, marketing and research lab, bakery, and a 10,000 pallet automated shipping and receiving freezer. In addition to schools, JTM packages food products for retail customers, restaurants and the military.
Everything is flash frozen and most products are cooked in large kettles. The company develops and prepares a wide variety of meat products including beef patties, boneless ribs, hotdogs, Bar-B-Q and breakfast burrito fillings. JTM also sells its own lines of convenience foods like macaroni and cheese, hoagie kits, entrees in a bag and Asian cooking sauces.
The company's hoagies and Philly kits are among its most popular consumer items. Those should be familiar to area shoppers who can buy the products at area grocery stores including Kroger, Remke Biggs and IGA. Publix, a popular Florida grocery chain, has recently picked up some JTM products, Allen said.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: JTM Director of Marketing Tom Allen
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