SnackMasters Ahi Tuna Jerky, Original, 2-Ounce Packages (Pack of 8)
Twenty years ago in a garage near Fresno, Calif., an innovative beverage executive had an idea that meat snacks should offer more than the consistency and taste of shoe leather. Jim Rekoutis knew that jerky could be flavorful, moist, and chewy, a natural product made with ingredients that were healthy. At the time, processors were turning to poultry products to entice people into consuming lower amounts of fat in their diets. "So, I thought, why not turkey jerky?" After more than a year of experimentation, a flavor trial, taste tests, and production problems, the first original flavor of turkey jerky without preservatives was ready for production. In 1982, SnackMasters opened its doors with the world's first turkey jerky.Ceres, Calif., near the turkey capital of the world, is home for SnackMasters. They take advantage of the locally abundant turkey to buy tons of it per month. Along with tons of beef and fish, SnackMasters makes a lot of jerky. "However, here at SnackMasters we sacrifice high yield for high quality," says Rekoutis. SnackMasters yields less than other processors because they prefer processing without water or preservatives. "By using just the right blend of sauces and spices, our jerky is better tasting, better chewing, healthier, and longer lasting than our competition. We produce what our customers demand," he says.SnackMasters uses all-natural beef and free-range turkey, marinated in a mix of ingredients made in fresh batches each morning. No water is added. There are also no artificial colors, flavors, enhancers, or ingredients in their products. Plus, all phases of the processing procedure are considered handmade. "SnackMasters is truly not a mass production-machined product," says Rekoutis.