Hammons Products Company

Hammons Products Company, located in the U.S. state of Missouri, is the world's premier processor and distributor of American Black Walnuts. The family enterprise, founded in 1946 and now in its third generation, continues to build on its tradition by selling American Black Walnuts to premium food manufacturers, the foodservice industry and to consumers. American Black Walnuts have a distinctive, rich and robust taste that even intensifies during cooking and baking. The taste combines well with chocolate, caramel and cinnamon and thus adds a premium flavor to ice cream and confectionery products; in addition, black walnuts enhance the taste of home-made baked goods as well as meat and vegetable dishes and salads.

Like all tree nuts, American Black Walnuts are low in saturated fats, high in mono- and polyunsaturated fats and rich in protein, fiber and vitamin content and can contribute to a healthier diet.

A Family Tradition

In 1946, Ralph Hammons founded the Hammons Products Company after deciding that the natural abundance of Black Walnuts in the Stockton area in the southwest of Missouri presented a unique business opportunity. He purchased his first nut-cracking equipment and began to sell the nutmeat, known as `Missouri Dandy' to interested buyers. Soon, premium brand ice cream manufacturers found the popularity of their product rising after adding Black Walnuts; today, ice cream still is one of the largest application areas, while new areas are being examined.

In 1958, Ralph's young son Dwain began to take an active part the company's daily business, becoming it's President in 1973. During his tenure, Dwain Hammons grew the business extensively by expanding the harvest area into 15 additional states. Today, his son Brian runs the company on an international level as its chief executive officer.