Maron Specialty Foods


	Welcome to Marjon® Specialty Foods, Inc.'s Home on the web! We are proud to manufacture and produce bean sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, and a variety of other specialty sprouts. We manufacture fresh "Cafe World Tour" salad dressings, fresh ginger stir-fry sauce, TOFU, TOFU Crumbles Vegetarian Hamburger, Grilled TOFU and other soy items. We also package a variety of grains, specialty vegetables, and rare fruits. Our web site will allow you to learn about the products we produce, including a listing of many of the retailers that carry our products. It will provide you with some absolutely delicious recipes, gives you the opportunity to contact us, and even includes an on-line store through which you may order products!
The Miller's desire to enter the sprout business began with a trip to California where Marcia Miller found bean sprouts available at produce markets. Later, she learned that she would have to grow her own if she wanted to continue enjoying the health food because they were not available in Florida grocery stores. Relying on a little creative thinking, Marcia started growing the sprouts under her sink. After asking a produce buyer about the future availability of bean sprouts, she learned that the stores were about to import the sprouts. Quickly, Marcia moved her crop up to a larger scale and began growing them in her bathtub. Thus began a half-year of testing sprout growth patterns. Today, the sprouts are grown in futuristic revolving drums and stationary bins. Sophisticated systems control climate, light, and darkness according to the unique needs of the different types of sprouts, bean sprouts, alfalfa sprouts and the like. John Miller is the mastermind who engineers the growing and packing systems and Marcia develops the recipes for their products and designs the packaging. Finally, in 1972, the Millers were in business for themselves and became the first to sell bean sprouts to Florida grocery stores. The desire to branch out into other areas of specialty foods developed quickly and continues to grow. Marjon® handles everything from rare fruits and vegetables to a line of salad dressings and sauces called "Cafe World Tour". The desire to branch out into other areas of specialty foods is a continuing priority at Marjon®.

	John and Marcia are proud of the “Marjon Team” We want to introduce you to the talented staff members.
	Bettye Holley – Office Manager and Comptroller Bettye serves as office manager and company comptroller since 1987. Bettye does not believe in clocks and many times has to be told to go home. She spends many weekends here as a dedicated Marjon employee. Along with her being a “workaholic”, Bettye has a great sense of humor and works to keep a positive and cheerful attitude in the office.
	Amy Denise Tucker – Tofu Manager Amy is Marcia and John’s oldest daughter. She is the manager of the Tofu department. Amy is passionate about our Tofu. We hand make our Tofu in the tradition of the old Tofu masters, and she takes pride that, in her opinion, it is the best Tofu in the world. Amy and her husband have two children – Cory and Devin, and another on the way. (Our tribe is increasing!)
	April Miller/Baker – Executive Asst. & Organic Specialist April is Marcia and John’s youngest daughter. She works in the office as Organic Certification Manager and Safety Training Instructor. She assists the operations manager as well as her mother and father with computer graphics and troubleshooting. The joys of April’s life are her two sons, Lyle and Samuel.
	Bryan Johnson – Sprout Production Bryan joined the Marjon team February 2005 and works in the sprout production departments. He has a keen eye for detail; and works well with other team members. Bryan has an unusual hobby of horse hair weaving and braiding. He created a horse hair halter and entered it into the Strawberry Festival. He won Championship in his division.
	Diane Adams – (Wife of John Adams) – Accounts Receivable Diane has worked at Marjon since 1993. Starting in the Pre-Cut department, in 2001, and opportunity came up in the office and Diane said she would like to try the position. Since then, she has been helping with accounts receivable, answering the phones and customer service. Diane enjoys her church activities and cooking for her husband.
	Don Clingenpeel – Shipping/Logistics Manager Don joined Marjon January 2005 and makes sure that all the orders received from sales will be placed on the right truck, with the right driver, to the right destination, at the right time and at the right temperature. Sounds easy to me, HA! Don enjoys building radio controlled cars and racing in his spare moments. Don is Martha’s (operations manager’s) husband and this works very well here at Marjon. We have quite a few family groups working together.
	Jo Miller – Human Resources/Payroll Jo, John’s sister, wears many hats here at Marjon. She was with us in the beginning, working in the office and driving a truck. Joe moved out of the state for awhile and returned in 1985 to help grow the business. She enjoys family, church, knitting and reading.
	Joe Batcher – Maintenance Manager Joe and his crew keep our Marjon facilities running smoothly. He has a talent for problem solving. We all appreciate Joe and his hard work, especially when sometimes in the middle of the night he will get a computerized system warning phone call and have to get up from bed to return to Marjon to check it out. Thank you, Joe! In his spare time, Joe and his family enjoy church activities.
	John Adams (Husband of Diane Adams) – Shipping Supervisor One of our husband and wife teams here at Marjon. John is shipping supervisor helping all out trucks get loaded and go in all different directions. His wife Diane works in the office, but they get to see each other often. Isn’t that sweet? John enjoys watching sports on TV and going to movies.
	John Heistand – Sales John has been with Marjon since 2001 and has had over 30 years experience in the retail, grocery and produce business. Jon is daily direct communication with our buyers. When not in the office at Marjon, John is usually donating his time and energy to his church.
	Kevin Smith – Sprout Production Supervisor Kevin started with Marjon in February 2003. He works in the sprout production department. He takes pride in his work and is consistently looking for ways to improve the sprouting procedures. His enthusiasm and dedication make him a valuable member of the team. On his time off, Kevin enjoys fishing.
	Lisa Minnes – Assistant to Comptroller Lisa is Bettye Holly’s daughter. She brings a wealth of knowledge in computers and accounting to her job. She has been very helpful working with Bettye in bringing our new computer systems online. Lisa loves gardening, knitting, quilting, cooking, her pets and spending time with her grandchildren and family.
	Lucy Daniel – Packing Supervisor Lucy joined our company in 1999. She is in charge of the produce packing department. Lucy supervises grading, trimming, weighing, packing and labeling sprouts and specialty vegetables. She has four children, likes to cook and is active in the women groups in her church.
	Luisa Vargas – Pre-Cut Supervisor Luisa started at Marjon January 2001 and has great efficiency skills. She supervises our Pre-Cut department and salad dressing – Café World Tour line and assists in Tofu production. Luisa has 2 children and enjoys movies and family activities.
	Don Clingenpeel – Shipping/Logistics Manager Don joined Marjon January 2005 and makes sure that all the orders received from sales will be placed on the right truck, with the right driver, to the right destination, at the right time and at the right temperature. Sounds easy to me, HA! Don enjoys building radio controlled cars and racing in his spare moments. Don is Martha’s (operations manager’s) husband and this works very well here at Marjon. We have quite a few family groups working together.
	Mike Fisher – Buyer Mike started at Marjon in April 2004 and sometimes travels with the Millers in search of new and exciting produce items and keeps constant contact with our growers, farmers and seed suppliers. Mike and his wife Alina enjoy weekends attending his son’s sports activities and watching sporting events.
	Mitch Hicks – Pallet and Shipping Supervisor Mitch has worked at Marjon since 1991 and has been involved in warehouse and cooler logistics. Mitch now supervises the pallet department, and helps shipping. He enjoys air-boating, fishing, camping and radio controlled car racing.
	Mitch Hicks – Pallet and Shipping Supervisor Mitch has worked at Marjon since 1991 and has been involved in warehouse and cooler logistics. Mitch now supervises the pallet department, and helps shipping. He enjoys air-boating, fishing, camping and radio controlled car racing.
	Sheila Strawser – Purchasing Shelia has been with Marjon since 1985. She has worn many hats in the different departments and has filled needs wherever she has been asked. Sheila works closely with the sprout department in determining the number of quantities needed for harvesting. Sheila buys our dry goods and packing needs for all the departments. Sheila and her husband Rob like traveling and riding their motorcycle.
	Charles (Tom) Gentry – Maintenance Supervisor Tom started in August, 2006. He quickly earned his supervisor position by the experience and knowledge he brought with him. Tom enjoys riding his Harley motorcycle and peaceful evenings at home with his wife.