Ferrara Candy Company

Primrose Candy Company was founded by Frank and Mae Puch in 1928. Primrose is still a family owned company and is currently run by the third generation. Primrose maintains its high standards that were established early on while utilizing modern techniques to stay competitive. Primarily a hard candy manufacturer for the first 40 years of the company's history, Primrose expanded in the late 1960's to include chewy candies like caramel and salt water taffy. A few decades later we added popcorn confections. Primrose manufactures confections to the highest quality standards using both old world candy making techniques and state of the art equipment in its 130, 000 square foot facility. Over 80% of the business is derived from private label and contract manufacturing. Thus Primrose not only has to meet its own high standards but also the scrutiny of those who put their name on our products. In addition to candy, Primrose is also making private label nutraceuticals, manufacturing candy base and adding various active ingredients. Primrose believes in maintaining a partnership relationship with its customers for the mutual success of both parties.

Columbus Foods provides a variety of vegetable oils and vegetable and animal shortenings to the retail and food service industry and for a variety of chemical and manufacturing applications. Its product line consists of more than 100 items, including salad and cooking oils, solid shortening, liquid shortening, bakery oils, organic oils, specialty oils, lecithin, balsamic vinegar, industrial products and non-GMO oils, available in containers that range from bulk tankers to the 24-ounce retail size. Columbus Foods maintains a 150,000-square-foot facility on Chicago s west side. Its sales extend to all 50 states, as well as international locations. The company traces its roots back to the mid-1930s.

Founded in 1979, Alpha Baking is one of the largest specialty bakeries in the United States. It sells products under the S. Rosen's, Mary Ann, Kreamo, Golden Hearth and Natural Ovens brands. The company is comprised of more than 1,400 employees and maintains a fleet of over 300 delivery trucks. Alpha Baking distributes fresh breads in the Upper Midwest region and frozen breads nationwide. Its products are sold in national restaurant chains, schools, institutions, sports franchises, and warehouse club and independent grocery stores. The company s products include sourdough, ryes, kaiser rolls, baguettes, bagels, hot dog and hamburger buns, and organic and frozen par-baked breads. Alpha Baking also offers Italian, French and pan breads. It operates various plants in Chicago and is inspected by the American Institute of Baking, Silliker Laboratories, and Food and Drug Administration. The company serves the retail, food service, institutional and frozen products markets. Its products are available at Walmart, Sam's Club and Food 4 Less. Alpha Baking has received the Baker of the Year award by Sosland Publication.