JK Food, a Czech family company specialising in the production of dehydrated foods, own instant and gluten-free instant pasta, spices, spice mixes, dried vegetables, dried mushrooms and ready meals in the form of a cup on the retail market, recently expanded its offering with a new range developed in response to current trends requiring the highest quality and natural, sustainably sourced raw materials. Romana Moares reports.
JKFood, founded in the mid-1990s by Jaroslav Kostera out of his passion for different tastes and spices, enjoys a solid market position in its native Czech Republic, and has a robust sales network throughout Europe. Today, the company’s core business is the development, production and sale of dehydrated products for the catering sector and the food industry.
“We make everything ourselves,” said Mr Kostera. “From the actual production of pasta, the development of taste, and the production of flavouring mixtures – all from high-quality and controlled ingredients. The final dish in a cup, in the form of a dehydrated snack, can be quickly prepared by pouring boiling water, simply stirring and waiting a few minutes before the dish is ready.”
Mr Kostera, who remains the company’s owner to this day, explains that over the last five years, there has been an increased focus on strengthening JK Food’s market position, specifically in the catering sector, as well as on production of dehydrated products such as soups, sauces and bouillons.
“JK Food is renowned as a long-term, reliable business partner to the food sector, supplying high-quality products developed in-
house. Our customer base includes a number of food processing companies such as producers of meat, bakery and dairy products, as well as schools, nurseries, hospitals, retirement homes, restaurants and other meal-providing establishments.”
In 2017, the company implemented a major investment into a new office and production hall to boost product capacity, and the following year capacity was further enhanced by a new, fully auto mated mixing centre and packaging line.
The automated mixing centre is planned to be further expanded by the end of 2022, which will increase production capacity up to 10,000 tonnes per year. With another recent investment in a new cup packaging line with a capacity of 1.5 million units per month, the company is set to launch European-wide expansion.
The solid reputation built over three decades, combined with the dynamic, proactive thinking of a young, forward-looking team is a smart recipe for products now set to conquer the retail segment.
Natural and sustainable
Speaking about what distinguishes JK Food from similar operators, Mr Kostera said: “Our key competitive advantage is comprehensive customer service, from product development to its delivery. We are
flexible and creative – and these are not empty words. We analyse customer feedback very quickly and apply the findings in a modified product. And last but not least, our strength is our great team of people – a team that is motivated, committed and driven.”
All JK Food’s products are manufactured according to the company’s own recipes and in collaboration with its customers’ requirements.
“The high quality of the products is the result of a thorough selection o f all raw materials, their careful processing and consistent quality control throughout the production process,” said Mr Kostera. “As a rule, we involve our customers in the development of new products.
“Naturally, we actively follow market developments. The focus is on basic, natural, sustainably-sourced raw materials, while eliminating artificial aromas, chemicals and preservatives and emphasising the health aspect.”
As the company also supplies a wide network of nurseries and school canteens, it has assumed an important role in promoting and developing healthy eating habits starting with the youngest generation.
For instant consumption
JK Food’s portfolio currently consists of over 1,500 products, fully developed and produced in-house, made using some 2,400 raw materials. This internal capability and expertise is a significant business strength, and a factor that drives innovation.
Two years ago, the company launched a pioneering product –a novel instant gluten-free pasta range.
“There are many gluten-free pasta products on the market, but none that can be turned into instant consumption,” stated Mr Kostera. “We are the only producer in Europe offering this combination.”
The company has major plans with this unique product range, revealed Mr Kostera. For instance, a major promotional campaign targeted at the retail sector will soon be launched.
“To place our gluten-free instant pasta range in the form of dehydrated meals on European markets is our major goal and our biggest challenge at the moment,” he confirmed.
Gluten-free instant pasta is just one of many successful outcomes of the company’s product development team. With increased focus on higher added value, the company recently
introduced another new product using its own raw materials – an instant pasta range sold in a cup. This dehydrated meal is transformed for immediate consumption by adding nothing else but hot water. For this range, the company created a new trademark –CHU (Taste) – under which the instant cup food products are sold, ready to enter the retail channel.
Growing markets
JK Food’s portfolio fully reflects healthy eating trends, with Mr Kostera affirming that the company is not only striving to meet customers’ requirements but also to present them with new trends, highlighting healthy living aspects.
“We are aware that specifically the young, progressively thinking population takes sustainability and nature’s principles very seriously.
We also try to reflect preferences of various consumer groups requiring vegan, organic, Demeter certified, allergenfree, GMO-free, gluten-free as well as reduced salt and sugar meal options.”
It goes without saying that suppliers play a major role in these efforts, and the company applies very strict criteria when selecting its suppliers.
“Building a healthy, long-term business relationship is an absolute key to sustaining high quality levels,” underlined Mr Kostera. “Some of our suppliers have been working with us for over 20 years, but at the same time, we are constantly looking for new suppliers – a good supplier mix is an important success factor.”
Offering natural, sustainably-sourced products remains the company’s vision for the future: a key goal at present is to place the latest range in the retail segment, supported by investment in product development, sales and marketing, as well as in increased production capacity.
Mr Kostera concluded: “The retail sector is our target – not only in Europe but further afield also. Earlier this year, JK Food exhibited at the Food World Exhibition in Dubai, as we believe our range is most suited to that multi-cultural, fast-paced, young market. The potential for healthy food is increasing everywhere and JK Food is extremely well placed to make the most of that potential.” n
