SALEM, Ore. -- One of Kettle Foods' latest potato chip flavors was on Saveur magazine's eighth-annual top-100 list, according to a report by the Salem Statesman Journal.
The gourmet food magazine praised Kettle Foods in its February issue, which listed its favorite restaurants, food, drinks, people, places and things. Spicy Thai Kettle Chips were named as the best new snack by the magazine's editors, the report said.
Meanwhile, the snack company recently stepped up its distribution efforts by naming an industry veteran as it launches [image-nocss] a new "better for you" line of all-natural snack products.
Tim Fallon joined the company as president North America and general manager. Fallon most recently was CEO of Vermont Pure Holdings Inc., a natural spring water company. While there, he led sales growth from $6.5 million to $70 million within nine years.
With an extensive background in manufacturing, distribution and finance, as well as experience in sales and marketing, Fallon will help fuel the company's expansion efforts and deepen distribution of Kettle Potato Chips.
Fallon fills the role vacated by Marc Cramer, an eight year veteran at the company, when he was promoted earlier this year to global CFO for Kettle Foods. Cramer now leads global financial operations for the Salem, Ore.-based company.
Fallon is playing a key role in the company's marketing efforts, which began with the launch of Kettle brand Bakes potato chips on store shelves in late December. The new line of better-for-you snacks will be available nationally in natural food stores and supermarkets such as Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Albertsons and Safeway.
"Kettle Foods is moving as fast as we can to meet consumer demand for our products, while developing new products that live up to our reputation for great flavor," said Paul Davis, who joined the company last year as global CEO after serving as President North America of Barilla America Inc. "Tim brings the strategic sales experience needed to amplify our direct distribution efforts. He's a proven leader who connects with the heart of Kettle Foods: a respectful team of individuals dedicated to producing the best tasting, all-natural snack products in the industry."
Previously Fallon led management teams at companies including Procter & Gamble, Pepsi-Cola Bottling and Cadbury Beverages. He also served on the board of Homegrown Natural Foods Inc., a company with retail roots in the natural food channel.
"Kettle Foods has experienced tremendous growth as consumer demand for healthy, all-natural snack foods continues to increase," said Fallon. "My challenge going forward is to harness the momentum of the Kettle brand and the loyal fans of Kettle brand potato chips to make our products even more accessible in all 50 states."
Kettle Foods produces more than 20 flavors and five varieties of potato chip offerings, organic tortilla chips and a variety of nut butters and trail mixes.
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