All together Pulmuone Wildwood presents an impressive 75 plus years of commitment to organic and natural food. The roots of the business are as diverse as a musical restaurant co-op in Marin County, California; a family farm in Iowa and a farming co-op in Korea. The Wildwood story began in 1978 as a pioneer in delivering fresh organic and natural vegetarian products, like the then-famous BRT sandwich (brown rice & tofu). It grew by delivering its popular cuisine by station wagon, bicycle and van until it blossomed into a full-blown direct store delivery system throughout the San Francisco Bay under the creative management of Jeremiah Ridenour and Billy Bramblett. Today that system serves 80 plus accounts. The growth lead it around the Bay area from Fairfax in Marin County to Santa Cruz to Watsonville and San Rafael and eventually stretched the company to the Midwest to connect with farmers and the sea of soybeans growing there. Pulmuone began in a very different place and time, 1955 Korea, when Won Kyung Sun desired to create a rebirth on a small parcel of land. That cooperative venture lead Pulmuone into a profound leader of fresh, natural foods throughout Korea during the 1980's and 1990's. Its first presence in the United States was the creation of Pulmuone-USA in 1991. Though originally focused on the ethnic market, by the turn of the century it was stretching to reach out into the mainstream. In 2003, Pulmuone and Wildwood discovered each other and began discussions of how they might connect. An agreement was signed in April 2004 and a full integration occurred during 2005. Today, the newly-formed Pulmuone Wildwood is well positioned for a strong presence in both mainstream and ethnic fresh and natural food markets. Corporate, sales and food science headquarters are now consolidated in Fullerton, California, and manufacturing enterprises are focused on their particular specialties at locations across the United States in places as diverse as New York, Iowa and California. Imports from Korea also provide an important supply of product to sell. The expanding USA distribution network and sales activity present a bright future and an opportunity to honor the past and begin the work of writing a united new history. |
Fullerton, CA | Watsonville, CA | San Rafael, CA | Grinnell, IA | Tappan, NY |