Fred Ruiz Invited to Join Distinguished Order of Zerocrats.

DINUBA, CA: Fred Ruiz, Chairman, Co-Founder and CEO, Ruiz Foods was installed into the Distinguished Order of Zerocrats during the Zerocrat reception and dinner meeting Saturday, February 23, 2008 in San Diego.  The reception and dinner was held during the American Frozen Food Institute’s (AFFI) annual Frozen Food Convention held at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.

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The Distinguished Order of Zerocrats is an organization of industry members whose mission is to maintain the tradition of promoting the image and advancement of the frozen food industry.

The Zerocrats established the Frozen Food Hall of Fame in 1990 to honor individuals who have helped shape the industry with their hard work and dedication.  Each year members of the Zerocrats nominate and vote on the Hall of Fame’s newest inductees.  A special ceremony at the annual AFFI Frozen Food Convention honors the imagination and innovation of each inductee that have ensured the continued success of the frozen food industry. Fred Ruiz was inducted in the Frozen Food Hall of Fame in 2006.

“I am very honored to be asked to join such a prestigious group,” said Fred Ruiz.  “I can remember calling a few Zerocrats for advice early in my career.  I sincerely appreciated their willingness to share their experience and the friendships that have grown over the years. I have always admired the members of the Distinguished Order of Zerocrats – never thinking I would one day be invited to join such influentials in our industry.”

The Order was formed in 1954 with 22 original members including Clarence Birdseye – known affectionately as the father of frozen food – who, in 1923, invented and later perfected a system of packing fresh food into wax cardboard boxes and flash-freezing under high pressure.  Current members number 100. Members of The Distinguished Order of Zerocrats meet during each American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) convention and National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) convention. In addition to promoting the image and advancement of the frozen food industry, they work to raise money for scholarships.

Ruiz Foods has been featured on the covers of Hispanic Business Magazine, Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Magazine, Costco Connection and Hispanic Trends Magazine, and products from their signature El Monterey line have been featured on episodes of the Food Network’s hit show ‘Unwrapped’ (2005 and 2003) as well as NBC’s ‘California Country’ (2004).  October 2003 saw the visit of President George W. Bush to the Ruiz facility.  Approximately 1,800 people attended the event when the President introduced his Administration’s Minority Home Ownership Initiative.

Among his many honors and awards, Fred Ruiz has been inducted into the Tortilla Industry Association Hall of Fame (2005) and named California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year (2005).

Third generation Kim Ruiz Beck, the elder daughter of Chairman and CEO Fred Ruiz, is Vice Chairman.  Bryce Ruiz, the elder son, is President and Chief Operating Officer.  Siblings Kelly Ruiz Hanchett serves on the Board of Directors and Matt Ruiz is in college. Ruiz Foods is a privately owned corporation with corporate offices in Dinuba, CA.

Ruiz Foods is dedicated to premium quality, authentically prepared frozen Mexican foods selling to all channels of distribution:  retail, convenience store, clubs, vending, industrial and foodservice.  The signature brand is El Monterey®. Ruiz is the market leader within the frozen Mexican food category, manufactures the #1 Brand of frozen Mexican food in the U.S. and employs over 2,500 Team Members in three facilities located in the United States.  ##