Stockton walnut supplier, distributor form alliance

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Stockton-based Hammons Products Company, a processor and supplier of American Eastern black walnuts, has formed an alliance with Diamond of California, a leader in culinary and in-shell nuts distribution.|ret||ret||tab|

Under the partnership, Diamond will purchase the black walnuts directly from Hammons and distribute them through Diamond's nationwide retail sales and broker network. The products will be packaged at the Diamond processing plant in Lemont, Ill.|ret||ret||tab|

This alliance is a first for Hammons, whose packaging program comprises nearly 20 percent of Hammons' overall business. The alliance offers Diamond a projected annual sales revenue of $3 million.|ret||ret||tab|

"Partnering with Hammons is a natural extension to Diamond's line of products and an excellent way to expand distribution and serve the customer," said Michael Mendes, Chief Executive Offi-cer, Diamond of California. "Together we will offer more consumers access to a greater variety of culinary and key ingredient nuts, such as the black walnut, adding variety, taste and good nutrition to any diet."|ret||ret||tab|

The Eastern black walnut grows wild and is native to the Central and Eastern United States. Used in cooking and baking, it boasts a robust and distinct flavor that sets it apart from the more widely known English walnut.|ret||ret||tab|

"Partnering with Diamond allows us to leverage their extensive distribution network and helps us further our mission," said Brian Hammons, president of Hammons Products Company.|ret||ret||tab|

The Hammons Products Company still family-owned is the world's top supplier of black walnut products. Ralph Hammons established the company in 1945 when he began buying black walnuts from Ozarks residents. He shipped the nuts to a company in Virginia for processing that year. |ret||ret||tab|

In 1946, Hammons bought a cracking machine and began selling his own "Missouri Dandy" black walnut nutmeats. |ret||ret||tab|

Demand for this high-quality brand grew and it later became the "Hammons" brand. Last year Hammons purchased black walnuts from more than 250 buying locations in 12 states. |ret||ret||tab|

Diamond of California, formed in 1912 by a group of California walnut farmers, has evolved into one of the state's largest grower cooperatives with 1,900 grower-members and 400 full-time employees.|ret||ret||tab|

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