Snack processor Calbee America Inc. has opened a new R&D Innovation Center in Madera, Calif., according to a release shared with Food Processing. The facility will support the Calbee team in bringing Asian-flavored offerings to mainstream markets and in expanding the company’s Harvest Snaps brand’s presence as a “better for you” salty snack.
Calbee expects the R&D Innovation Center to accelerate the development of more Asian-flavored snacks, chips, popcorn, cereal and crackers that appeal to the American palate with a state-of-the-art kitchen and offices that can accommodate as many as 15 researchers.
The Calbee Group is a Japanese snack company that has been in operation since 1949. It expanded to the U.S. in 1970, when Calbee America was formed. The Harvest Snaps brand includes veggie-based, nutrient-dense snacks such as Snack Crisps, Crunchy Loops, Crunchy Puffs and Crispy Fruit Snacks. Calbee America also produces Shrimp Chips, Asian Style Chips and Jagarico, among other brands.
The company has planned a grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting for Jan. 24, 2025.
About the Author
Andy Hanacek
Senior Editor
Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.