Capturing a share of the fastest-growing segment of the tortilla and tortilla chips segments in the baking and snack industries has become a key strategic objective for an increasing number of food companies.

Tortilla versatility, better-for-you ingredients and on-trend flavors continue to attract consumers looking for bread replacements and healthier eating options.

Catallia Mexican Foods now offers a complete line of corn tortillas for foodservice operators.

New shapes, interesting flavors and better-for-you ingredients help make tortilla chips the second most-popular salty snack among U.S. consumers.

As most of you know, the tortilla industry has become the fastest-growing sector of the baking business, with more than $11 billion in sales last year.

Ingredient and equipment manufacturers offer a variety of products to help tortilla manufacturers improve their products, production efficiency and bottom line.

The Tortilla Industry Association will hold its first major East Coast event Oct. 21-22 in Atlantic City, NJ. Online registration is available now.

Wholesome Goodness’ gluten-free Sweet Chili & Omega Tortilla Chips are made with a blend of whole-grain corn and a medley of whole ancient grains.

A luxurious new venue, education sessions, exhibitors and plenty of networking and social opportunities await attendees at the 2016 Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) Convention & Trade Exposition in Southern California on May 18–19.

The Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) has once again raised the stakes for its strategy of focusing on the fastest-growing geographies in the fastest-growing sector of the baking business—tortillas recorded $12 billion in sales last year and are overtaking white sandwich bread as the nation’s preferred food-delivery platform—by placing its bets on Southern California as the destination for its 2016 Annual Convention & Trade Exposition.

Tortilla Industry Association members will gather in Southern California May 18–19, as TIA moves its Annual Convention & Trade Exposition to Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Valley Center.

Review the information, including new ingredients, equipment, technology and more, from the following companies, which will be exhibiting at the Tortilla Industry Association Convention & Trade Exposition, taking place May 16 to 19 in Southern California

Snack Factory, maker of Pretzel Crisps and a Snyder’s-Lance brand, has reimagined the tortilla with the introduction of Snack Factory Tortilla Chips.

Americans continue to crave Mexican food—so much so that they spend billions of dollars annually at quick-service restaurants like Taco Bell and Chipotle Mexican Grill and on Mexican foods at their local grocery store.

American takeout standbys like pizza and Chinese food should watch their backs, because Mexican cuisine is close behind, says the “Global Palates 2015” report from the National Restaurant Association.

As much as the tortilla category stays the same, it also has been striving to include more clean-label, non-GMO, and organic options. The standard white flour or corn tortilla that you see on grocery shelves will continue to persist, but consumers may see vegetable options like sweet potato tortillas alongside them, too.

According to IBISWorld, tortilla production in the U.S. has grown 3 percent in the past five years thanks to the fact that tortillas, especially ones boosted with ingredients like spinach and whole wheat, are perceived to be healthier than bread during a time when consumers value nutrition.

The past several years have been kind to the tortilla market. Tortillas and tortilla chips are essentials across U.S. retail and foodservice sectors, with steady growth over the past several years.

Dorner’s FlexMove Helix Conveyors are manufactured to meet customer’s needs with build to order inclines and declines, which provide tight spirals in a small footprint for greater flexibility in layout for applications such as accumulation, buffering, cooling product and more.

Originating as early as 8000 to 5000 BC in Mesoamerica, and adopted by Aztec and Mayan civilizations and then Mexican and Guatemalan cultures, tamales are enjoyed for their portability and versatility.

Multi-Conveyor recently built a series of stainless steel plastic chain conveyors, in stages, to transport both full and empty cases of food product through nearly 50 feet of conveyance.

Multi-Conveyor recently built a series of mild steel constructed conveyors for varying height and width products that travel through dual belt merge, enclosed pneumatic diverts, massive lane accumulation; combiners, single file technology and more.

Eaglestone Equipment, a custom manufacturer of industrial processing equipment, recently introduced the TrackIQ Sorting Conveyor.

Fortress Conveyor has recently introduced its newest conveyor, which includes an easy sanitization process. 

Multi-Conveyor recently built a series of powered mild steel conveyors including a unique gravity conveyor to transport tall shaped plastic products.

Spiroflow’s hygienic, totally-enclosed Cableflow tubular cable drag conveyors offer clean-in-place options including wiper discs, air knife purge units, and brush boxes.

A substantial number of snack and bakery processors have turned to tubular drag conveyor systems, which gently move product through a sealed, enclosed tube using a drag cable and circular discs pulled through on a loop.

Multi-Conveyor recently built a cost-effective, compact dual lane 90° case turner to rotate and align single lane filled cases that quickly transfer onto an existing case sealer.

Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, introduces its Marathon vibratory conveyors with monobeam construction.

Multi-Conveyor recently built both an unscrambling rotary table and an accumulation rotary table which are connected by a 30’ basic plastic straight running chain conveyor in this semi-automated conveyance application.

In this case study, Multi-Conveyor recently built a massive system for a globally-recognized food manufacturer.

Dorner’s new AquaGard Low Profile (LP) conveyor is designed to fit in tight spaces, making it the ideal sanitary conveyor for dry or wipedown applications within the packaging, pharmaceutical, confectionary, bakery, and other packaged food industries. 

Companies that make belts, conveyors, and associated equipment like motors have a wide array of customers in the snack food and wholesale bakery industries, because every food production facility relies heavily on these technologies throughout their processes.

Eaglestone Equipment, a custom manufacturer of industrial food processing equipment, offers the 1150 Fabric Constant Turn Conveyor to help food processors speed up production lines and keep products moving efficiently through manufacturing lines. 

Rollon has updated its SMART SYSTEM lineup of belt-driven linear actuators with a rugged new design that supports heavy loads and ensures low maintenance operation in automated manufacturing, packaging machines and food and beverage equipment.

Multi-Conveyor recently built a set of sanitary food-grade conveyors that combine dual lanes of cup-size containers to feed an existing metal detector.  

For customers looking to reduce their sanitary conveyor system’s power consumption by as much as 55%, the new iDrive2 permanent magnet motor for Dorner’s AquaPruf conveyor is a great option.

Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, introduces its new and improved Auto Diverter for its popular Iso-Flo vibratory conveyors.

A new Flexicon Mobile Sanitary IBC Unloading and Conveying System transfers contamination-sensitive bulk solid materials from Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) to downstream processes, dust-free.  

Ideal for metering of food products into packaging lines, such as individual ingredients for snack mixes, finished food products prior to pouching lines, and metering of sensitive or friable food ingredients to blenders. 

Multi-Conveyor recently built a system that transports bagged food products through from one to two lanes of travel.

Much like its predecessor, the FGP Primary Cleaner, the FGP with External Spring features FDA-approved, food grade materials including a stainless-steel tensioner and a solid pole.

Snack and bakery producers visiting the booth will find a range of solutions aimed at meeting current consumer trends.

With cost-effective low usage levels and high stability performance, this kosher, vegan, and halal-certified shade can be used in snack seasonings, bakery products, frostings and decorative coatings, breadings, and more.

Dark chocolate ganache is now available in 8-pound, flexible pouches for chefs nationwide.

The introduction of HarvestEdge Oro comes as the pizza market continues to expand, with the line helping operators tap into new areas.

The purees can be used for bakery items, desserts, and other items.

Gavan introduces FaTRIX alternative protein-enriched fat ingredient that butters up chef pastries and slashes saturated fat by 80%.

The initial offering will include 6-oz. resealable bags for retail as well as 2-lbs. bags perfect for foodservice applications.

PureCircle's new stevia solutions optimize taste performance and sugar reduction across food and beverage categories.