#169 Jana Jenkins, Oregon Ag

Meaningful Marketplace Podcast

Welcome to the new, expanded format for The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast Shows. Starting with this show, we will be interviewing foodpreneurs from Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, thanks to the NW and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center, https://nwrockymountainregionalfoodbusiness.com/ . This regional effort offers an incredibly rich center of information, education and connection to the food industry for mid-size growers, farmers and producers. It’s been since episode #81, May of 2021 that we interviewed Jana Jenkins who wears two hats. She is the founder of Oregon Ag, a food distribution company moving mostly local food specialties from producers whose stories and products are unique and interesting. Her other big hat is Sales Director for Oregon Wild Rice, a family-owned producer located in the fertile Willamette Valley of Oregon. We ask Jana, “What’s changed?”. Oregon Wild Rice is owned by the Langdon family who has been farming in the area for over a 100 years. For most of those years the family had drained the farmland to grow grass seed. But a few years ago they committed to a new plan to more effectively utilize their heavy clay soil and the abundant Oregon rainfall. In 2016 they chose to boldly plant Oregon Wild Rice. It took four years to expand the rice crop and to learn how to effectively process the high-quality rice for human consumption. Currently, they sell everything they produce locally. Recent numbers are 25,000 bags of wild rice sold last year in approximately 25 stores. Sarah Marshall also highlighted Oregon Wild Rice on a local TV program. As for changes in Jana’s Oregon Ag company, distribution is still a challenge. She is enthused however after the recent Fancy Foods Show held in Las Vegas (covered in Episode #140 released last March). The shows provide a plethora of offerings close together and in sections that make exploring for new products efficient and successful. Her greatest surprise was in the international section, where foods from Italy and Spain were particularly fascinating. Both the packaging and the foods themselves had incredible eye appeal and gave consumers new, rich food experiences. What does Jana look for in taking on new products? She loves the story and the passion of the maker behind the product, because it’s the story that appeals to the consumer looking for something new. So if you contact her, and she hopes you do, start by simply showing her what you make. If she takes on your product, her favorite stores for placement are Market of Choice, New Seasons, Zupans, Mckay’s Market and Ray’s Market. Jana also has placed products in quality venues such as Willamette valley Vineyards and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Her current client list includes Humblebee Honey, Kickin’ Pickles, Portland Salt Company, Nuts on the Run, Wildfire Elixirs, Fields Grassfed Beef, and Franklin and Sons Beverages London, England. Jana is particularly thrilled about Sh’mallow, the first aerosol marshmallow that tops any dessert or beverage. What’s Jana’s advice to all aspiring foodpreneurs? Take every opportunity you get. And don’t stop; no one is doing what you’re doing. Tell your story. Contact Oregon Wild Rice, IG: oregonrice.com. Website: oregonrice.com IG: oregonwildrice.com. Contact Jana, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-jenkins-895683186/. Email: [e-mail]. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall.