Historical Highlights
2008
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.
2007
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.
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.
2006
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.
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.
2005
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.
May/June - Featured on the “Entrepreneur 100” Hispanic Trends issue cover
Full spread story on the history, growth and community involvement of Ruiz Foods.
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.
2004
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1964
They dare to dream and form a company to manufacture and sell frozen Mexican foods.
1963
Louis Ruiz is delivering groceries to farm families in California's San Joaquin Valley. His son, Fred, is attending junior college.