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Coast Packing Insights

Coast Packing Company is a leading provider of animal fat shortenings in the Western U.S. and a thought leader on how animal fats contribute to the American diet.

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Thought Leadership Corner

At Coast, we’re engaged in moving the food services industry forward.  Through education, research, policy analysis and consumer awareness, we make it our business to offer food for thought.  We are what we read and write, and we strive to lead the market through our example.

VIVA® has been the preferred brand of lard

in restaurant kitchens for more than 45 years – it’s trans fat-free and known for its quality, consistency and performance. For the best tasting carnitas, chicharrones, tamales, tortillas and tortilla chips, and more, VIVA is the standard.

Eric R. Gustafson

Industry News

Millennials favor funkier fats
restaurant-hospitality.com
Millennials favor funkier fats
You think you’ve got marketing challenges? Think what it’s been like for Coast Packing, a top supplier of lard and beef tallow, two products dietitians scorn as cholesterol producers of the first order.
The Return of Lard
escoffier.edu
The Return of Lard
Up until the 20th century, Americans commonly used lard as a cooking fat, shortening or just a spread to be enjoyed with a slice of bread Then, as NPR pointed out, the public came to regard pig fat as exceptionally unhealthy.
Whole Foods Market unveils top 10 food trends for 2019
media.wholefoodsmarket.com
Whole Foods Market unveils top 10 food trends for 2019
Flavor inspiration from the Pacific Rim (think Asia, Oceania and the western coasts of North and South America) are popping up in grocery stores and restaurants as people continue to explore more of the world through their palates.
Exploring the flavors and functions of alternative fats
foodbusinessnews.net
Exploring the flavors and functions of alternative fats
CHICAGO — Without fat, many foods lack substance. Fat dissolves and concentrates flavors and aromas, and depending on the source, may bring its own flavors to a recipe. Think: buttery croissant, coconut cream curry and sesame oil stir fry.
Why You'll Want to Cook and Bake with Leaf Lard
marthastewart.com
Why You’ll Want to Cook and Bake with Leaf Lard
Depending on your age, you may or may not be familiar with lard. The cooking fat was once a staple ingredient in home kitchens, though over the years, it has become something of a mysterious one.

Announcements

Coast Coverage

Meat Institute Elects New Officers for 2024
meatpoultry.com
Meat Institute Elects New Officers for 2024
The North American Meat Institute detailed its newly elected key officers for 2024 which included Eric Gustafson, chairman and chief executive officer of Coast Packing Company, being elected incoming chairman.
Taco María is the Tortilla Tournament's First Two-Time Winner!
kcrw.com
Taco María is the Tortilla Tournament’s First Two-Time Winner!
I’m writing this a couple of hours after the historic finale for the 2023 edition of KCRW and Gustavo’s Great Tortilla Tournament, held yesterday (October 8) at Smorgasburg LA. Before me are a bunch of small quesadillas made from corn tortillas I bought at Miramar Tortillería in East Los Angeles, my all-time favorite machine-made corn tortilla. I always love to give them a plug when I can, not just to let people know where the good stuff is, but also to let them know that Miramar hasn’t been in the #TortillaTournament since 2021, since the competition is that tough.
Coast Packing Survey Finds Consumers Appreciate Animal Fats
BakeMag.com
Coast Packing Survey Finds Consumers Appreciate Animal Fats
In the latest animal fats study from Coast Packing, a leading supplier of animal fat shortenings in the Western United States, roughly half of the more than 1,000 Americans sampled like what animal fats do to the taste of various dishes.
Coast Packing celebrates 100-year anniversary
provisioneronline.com
Coast Packing celebrates 100-year anniversary
With carnival games, music, and a special appearance by Coast’s 3500-hp ’69 ProCharger Pro Mod Camaro, the program for the day’s festivities paid tribute to Coast’s extended family, including City of Vernon officials and the Vernon Chamber of Commerce. See article in National Provisioner…
Coast Packing Celebrates 100 Years of Business
qsrmagazine.com
Coast Packing Celebrates 100 Years of Business
An integral part of Southern California’s restaurant, baking and food industries, Coast is the number one supplier of animal fat shortenings lard and beef tallow in the Western United States. The company was founded in 1922 as a livestock and meat‐packing business and expanded over the years into a food‐industry leader. Read about our 100 Year anniversary in the latest from QSR…
Coast Packing Celebrates 100 Years of Business
fsrmagazine.com
Coast Packing Celebrates 100 Years of Business
“These days, it’s not that unusual for a company to hit the century mark.” says Eric R. Gustafson, Coast’s Chairman and CEO. “People, after all, are living longer than ever. But not that many companies connect their business trajectory to stories, personal stories, as profoundly as Coast Packing does. Read about 100 years of Coast in the lates from FRS…
Coast Packing president Ron Gustafson dies
meatpoultry.com
Coast Packing president Ron Gustafson dies
VERNON, CALIF. – Ronald “Ron” Rieder Gustafson, president of Coast Packing Company (Coast), died at the age of 78 on June 25, surrounded by his family.
Coast Packing reveals winners of fifth annual lard-based recipe contest
bakemag.com
Coast Packing reveals winners of fifth annual lard-based recipe contest
Coast Packing Company, a leading supplier of farm-fat-based shortenings, has announced the winners of its fifth annual #LardLovers Recipe Contest, a tribute to the staying power of comfort food. The company called for any unique, unpublished recipe that uses lard, in sweet or savory categories, with the winning recipes being announced on December 8 for National Lard Day.