Hunt's
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food processing |
| Founded | 1888 in Sebastopol, California, United States |
| Founder | Joseph Hunt, William Hunt |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Canned tomato products, sauces, ketchup, barbecue sauces, canned fruits and vegetables |
| Owner | Conagra Brands |
Hunt's represents a line of preserved tomato goods under the ownership of Conagra Brands. Established in 1888 in Sebastopol, California as the Hunt Bros. Fruit Packing Co., founded by Joseph and William Hunt, the business moved to Santa Rosa in 1890 and later settled in Hayward by 1895. The company rapidly grew, dedicating efforts to canning fruits and vegetables sourced from California. By the year 1941, the facility was distributing 100 million cans annually containing soups, fruits, vegetables, and juices.
In 1943, Hunt's was purchased by Val Vita Food Products, a company owned by Norton Simon and headquartered in Fullerton, California. The combined organization preserved the Hunt's brand name and operated as Hunt Food and Industries, Inc.. Under Norton Simon’s guidance, the focus shifted primarily to canned tomato items, with an emphasis on prepared tomato sauce.
The year 1960 saw a merger between the Wesson Oil & Snowdrift Company and Hunt's Foods, resulting in Hunt-Wesson Foods. Further consolidation led to the creation of Norton Simon Inc. in 1968. After being acquired by Esmark in 1983 and then by Beatrice Foods in 1984, the company was purchased by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts in 1985, who intended to sell off certain assets. Hunt-Wesson, including the Hunt's brand portfolio, was sold to agribusiness leader ConAgra Foods in 1990. In 1999, ConAgra Grocery Products relocated its operations from Fullerton to Irvine, California, before closing the Irvine office in 2006.
The Hunt's product assortment features a variety of canned tomato-based items such as sauces, pastes, diced tomatoes, whole tomatoes, stewed tomatoes, pureed and crushed tomatoes. The brand also offers organic and No Salt Added variants, spaghetti sauces, ketchup, barbecue sauces, along with canned potatoes and peaches. Additionally, Hunt's markets Family Favorites canned recipe helpers. The brand name appears on Manwich sloppy joe products and was previously associated with Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding. Notably, Reddi-wip whipped cream originated under the Hunt's label.
In 1988, the brand updated its packaging terminology from "catsup" to "ketchup." In May 2010, Hunt's ketchup temporarily eliminated high fructose corn syrup, substituting it with sugar-based ingredients; however, HFCS was reinstated by May 2012. Since May 2017, consumers have had access to a sugar-sweetened variant marketed as 100% Natural Tomato Ketchup available in several sizes.
In December 2018, NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes entered into an endorsement agreement with Hunt's. Known for his preference for ketchup on various dishes, Mahomes' collaboration serves to boost the brand’s presence among target consumer segments.