Product provider returns after 6 year hiatus
For the Fall Product Sale, we are excited to announce a return to Pecatonica River Popcorn!
Known for its superior tasting product, Pecatonica River returns as the council's product supplier for the first time since 2018.
"We're excited to have them back," said Ted Blum, Sale Chair and council's top volunteer kernel. "Our unit leaders told us want they wanted, and we are looking at a tremendous opportunity for our units with this year's sale."
A panel of volunteers from units that have successfully participated in the sale, along with non-selling units was assembled to hear presentations from the nation's top two product vendors with Pecatonica being the preferred choice. This group had several meetings, hours of discussion along with a survey to help determine this change.
Some of the key topics of discussion included:
- Pecatonica taste was preferred
- Tasting Kits for participating units
- Increased value in product volume
- Some products have tin container options
- Improved packaging
- There is a lower priced item for sale
- Banners for use
Units are urged to register to receive updates on the latest sale news as it becomes available.
Details are being ironed out now as changes to the incentive program will need to be made. Once the volunteer committee comes back with its recommendations, more information will be shared.
Pecatonica River Popcorn History (from www.pecatonicariverpopcorn.co/history)
In 1983, Rural Route 1 Popcorn was approached by the U.S. Grant District Boy Scouts of America to produce pails of popcorn to be used as a fundraiser. Pecatonica River Popcorn was established as an exclusive brand solely for Scouting use. Upon a successful fall sale in 1983, the Blackhawk Area Council of Rockford, IL joined with Pecatonica River for the fall sale of 1984.
Since that initial Council sale in 1984, Pecatonica River has had numerous plant and production expansions. In 1992, a new plant was built in Livingston Industrial Park, in 1998 expansion doubled the original plant size, in 1999 additional warehousing was constructed, in 2004 that warehouse was doubled, and we continue to expand our facility to this day.
These expansions are driven by more and more Councils joining the Pecatonica River team. Currently we serve 38 Scout America Councils.
Pecatonica River’s niche has been to provide an individualized program for each Council, capitalizing on their strengths and assets. Everything from specific container designs to unique products and specialized forms create a program unique to each Council.
Our goal at Pecatonica River has been and always will be to make the best popcorn possible, consistently, efficiently and with high attention to detail. This goal is what keeps us in business year after year.
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