View source for Ore-Ida

{{Short description|American frozen food brand}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Ore-Ida
| logo = Ore ida logo.png
| logo_size = 150
| logo_alt = 
| logo_caption = 
| logo_padding = 
| image = Grigg Tater Tots Truck.jpg
| image_size = 220
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = A [[semi-trailer|trailer]] advertising the Ore-Ida brand, showing the outlines of Oregon and Idaho, circa 1961
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| parent = [[Kraft Heinz]]
| founded = {{start date and age|1952}}
| founders = Ross Erin Butler Sr.{{break}}Francis Nephi Grigg{{break}}Golden&nbsp;Grigg<ref name="cnnmoney">Ross Erin Butler Sr. {{cite news|title= Mr. Potato Head – A Dirt-Poor Farmer Turned Spud Scraps into Gold|publisher=[[CNN Money]]|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2003/11/01/358297/index.htm | author = Lukas, Paul | date= November 1, 2003 | access-date = May 1, 2012}}</ref><ref name="UofUtah">{{cite web|title=The Francis Nephi ("Neef") Grigg Papers|publisher=[[University of Utah]] Library Special Collections|url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/u?%2FUU_EAD%2C973|access-date=2012-07-29|archive-date=2020-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126133506/http://content.lib.utah.edu/u?%2FUU_EAD%2C973|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Ore-Ida Fun Zone - Fun Facts" />
| location = [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| industry = Retail, food
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.kraftheinz.com/ore-ida/|Ore-Ida}}|
}}
'''Ore-Ida''' ({{IPAc-en|ɔːr|ˈ|aɪ|d|ə}}; {{Respell|orr|EYE|də}}) is a brand of [[potato]]-based [[frozen food]]s owned by [[Kraft Heinz]]'s, [[H.J. Heinz Company]] Brands LLC. based in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]].

Ore-Ida's primary production facility is located in [[Ontario, Oregon]], near the [[Idaho]] border where the company was originally founded in 1949.<ref name="Ore-Ida Fun Zone - Fun Facts">[http://www.oreida.com/funzone/funfacts.aspx "Ore-Ida Fun Zone{{spaced ndash}} Fun Facts"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622162414/http://www.oreida.com/funzone/funfacts.aspx|date=2006-06-22}}. Ore-Ida.</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=How 2 Oregon brothers' efforts to mitigate food waste created the beloved tater tot |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2023/02/02/tater-tots-created-oregon-potato-scraps-ore-ida/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=opb |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Nephi Grigg Tater Tots Inventor Oreida Founder.jpg|thumb|left|233x233px|Francis Nephi Grigg, one of the Grigg brothers who founded the "Oregon Frozen Foods Company" that evolved into Ore-Ida]]
In 1934, entrepreneurs Francis Nephi Grigg and Golden Grigg began growing [[sweet corn]] in eastern [[Oregon]]. Their first company, "'''Grigg Brothers'''", became the largest distributor of sweet corn in the United States.<ref name="cnnmoney" /><ref name="GriggBros-History"/><ref name="UofUtah" /> In 1949, with financial backing from their brother-in-law Otis Williams, the brothers rented a frozen food plant located in Ontario and converted it into a potato-processing facility. The three purchased the facility around 1952 after the plant went into foreclosure.<ref name="cnnmoney" /><ref name="GriggBros-History">{{cite web|title=A Brief History of Grigg Brothers|url=http://www.griggbros.com/attachments/article/267/GriggBriefHistory.pdf|publisher=Grigg Brothers|access-date=10 February 2016|archive-date=25 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125034818/http://www.griggbros.com/attachments/article/267/GriggBriefHistory.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Grigg2011">{{cite book |author=Dick Grigg |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2myR_qjAl6kC&pg=PA286 |title=Family History and Temples Including Grigg and Related Family Genealogies |date=December 2011 |publisher=[[Xlibris Corporation]] |isbn=978-1-4653-8287-0 |pages=286– |access-date=9 February 2016}}</ref> The company was officially founded that year as the "'''Oregon Frozen Foods Company'''".<ref name="Grigg2011"/><ref name="Bloomberg-OreIda">{{cite web|title=Company Overview of Ore-Ida Foods, Inc.|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=13402807|publisher=[[Bloomberg News]]|access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref>

The company initially produced and sold frozen corn and [[French fries]].<ref name="cnnmoney" /><ref name="GriggBros-History"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=McKinney |first=Kelsey |date=2017-08-28 |title=The Tater Tot Is American Ingenuity at Its Finest |url=https://www.eater.com/2017/8/28/16159710/tater-tots-ore-ida-history |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=Eater |language=en}}</ref> In 1953, Nephi, Golden, Otis, and Ross developed [[Tater tots|Tater Tots]], bite-sized "logs" formed from seasoned slivers of potatoes, which were leftovers from French fry production.<ref name="cnnmoney" /><ref name="Ore-Ida Fun Zone - Fun Facts" /><ref name="NYTimes-OreIda-Aug2014"/> The name “tater tots” can be attributed to Clora Lay Orton after the brothers created a contest with their friends and employees to create a name for the potato “logs".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The history of tater Tots - Upworthy |url=https://www.upworthy.com/tater-tots-history |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.upworthy.com |language=en}}</ref> Tater Tots are today considered the brand's most well known product.<ref name="NYTimes-OreIda-Aug2014">{{cite news|last1=Elliott|first1=Stuart|title=Ore-Ida Campaign Focuses on Authenticity of Tater Tots|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/25/business/media/ore-ida-campaign-focuses-on-authenticity-of-tater-tots.html|access-date=10 February 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 25, 2014}}</ref><ref name="UofUtah" /><ref name=":0" />

In 1960, the company built a second plant in [[Burley, Idaho]].<ref name="Grigg2011"/><ref name="Morris2004"/> The company's name is a [[Abbreviation#Syllabic abbreviation|syllabic abbreviation]] of the first few letters of [[Oregon]] and [[Idaho]] and the original logo consisted of the outlines of Oregon and Idaho with ''Ore-Ida'' superimposed in italicized letters.<ref name="cnnmoney" />

After going public in 1961,<ref name="cnnmoney" /><ref>{{cite news|title=S.E.C. Registrations|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/06/30/118915363.pdf|access-date=10 February 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 30, 1961}}</ref> the Ore-Ida brand was acquired by the [[H. J. Heinz Company]] in 1965.<ref name="cnnmoney" /><ref name="Morris2004"/><ref name="NYTimes-Heinz-OreIda-May1965">{{cite news|title=Heinz is Planning Food Acquisition: Directors Approve Plan for Purchase of Ore-Ida|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1965/05/21/97202734.pdf|access-date=10 February 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 21, 1965}}</ref> The Heinz company coined Ore-Ida's long-time advertising slogan: “When it says Ore-Ida, it’s All Righta.”<ref name="Morris2004">{{cite book|author=Evan Morris|title=From Altoids to Zima: The Surprising Stories Behind 125 Famous Brand Names|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TeOf3BcOJIC&pg=PA60|date=9 November 2004|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|isbn=978-0-7432-7647-4|pages=60–61|access-date=9 February 2016}}</ref>

[[McCain Foods]] purchased Ore-Ida's [[foodservice]] division in 1997, acquiring five of the company's plants, including the Burley location.<ref name="UofUtah" /><ref name="Heinz-2000AnnualReport"/><ref name="PR-McCain-OreIda-June1997">{{cite news|author1=McCain Foods|author-link=McCain Foods|title=McCain Foods Completes Ore-Ida Food Service Acquisition: New Company Has Strategic Advantages|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mccain-foods-completes-ore-ida-food-service-acquisition-76111647.html|access-date=10 February 2016|work=[[PR Newswire]]|date=June 30, 1997|location=[[Chicago]]}}</ref> Ore-Ida's division headquarters were located in [[Boise, Idaho|Boise]] until 1999, when a new frozen foods division was created based at Heinz's corporate headquarters in [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref name="Heinz-2000AnnualReport">{{cite web|title=H.J. HEINZ COMPANY ANNUAL REPORT 2000|url=http://www.heinz.com/data/pdf/2000HeinzAR.pdf|publisher=[[Heinz]]|access-date=10 February 2016|date=2000|archive-date=15 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215165421/http://www.heinz.com/data/pdf/2000HeinzAR.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sabatini|title=Heinz moves Ore-Ida from Idaho to Pittsburgh|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19981111&id=z4wNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6323,192360&hl=en|access-date=10 February 2016|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=November 11, 1998}}</ref>

In 2022, Boise-based [[Simplot|J.R. Simplot Company]] acquired the Ontario facility; Kraft Heinz retains ownership of the Ore-Ida brand, which is now produced by Simplot under a long-term agreement.<ref name=simaq>{{cite web |url=https://www.simplot.com/company/news/simplot-acquires-eastern-oregon-processing-facility |publisher=Simplot |title=Simplot acquires eastern Oregon processing facility |date=February 24, 2022 |accessdate=May 4, 2025}}</ref><ref name=cppresssim>{{cite news |url=https://capitalpress.com/2022/02/24/simplot-to-become-ore-idas-exclusive-manufacturer-supplier/ |work=Capital Press |title=Simplot to become Ore-Ida’s exclusive manufacturer, supplier |date=February 24, 2022 |accessdate=May 4, 2025}}</ref><ref name=buswre>{{cite news |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220223005366/en/Kraft-Heinz-and-the-J.R.-Simplot-Company-Announce-an-Exclusive-Multi-Year-Strategic-Supply-Agreement-for-Ore-Ida |work=Business Wire |title=Kraft Heinz and the J.R. Simplot Company announce an exclusive, multi-year strategic supply agreement for Ore-Ida |date=February 23, 2022 |accessdate=May 4, 2025}}</ref>

== Sports sponsorship ==
* Ore-Ida [[Women's Challenge]] [[road bicycle racing|road cycling race]] in the 1980s and 1990s.<ref name=twoir>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a5UrAAAAIBAJ&pg=6346%2C793599 |newspaper=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |agency=Associated Press |title=Thompson wins Ore-Ida race |date=July 9, 1990 |page=3B}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The toughest women's race in history: Ore Ida |url=https://www.rouleur.cc/blogs/the-rouleur-journal/true-grit-ore-ida |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Rouleur |language=en}}</ref>
* In 2005 and 2006, Ore-Ida sponsored [[Brian Vickers]]' #57 Chevrolet in the [[NASCAR]] [[Xfinity Series|Busch Series]].<ref name=HMS-Vickers-Heinz-2005>{{cite web|title=Vickers to Drive No. 57 Ore-Ida Chevy in Busch Series|url=http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/articles/prev/1107907200|website=[[Hendrick Motorsports|HendrickMotorsports.com]]|publisher=[[Hendrick Motorsports]]|access-date=9 June 2015|location=[[Concord, North Carolina]]|date=February 8, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/article/2005/10/26/Ore-Ida-Racing|title=Ore-Ida Racing|website=[[Hendrick Motorsports|HendrickMotorsports.com]]|publisher=[[Hendrick Motorsports]]|access-date=17 December 2014|date=October 26, 2005}}</ref> In 2007, Ore-Ida/Heinz and Delimex foods (another Heinz brand) sponsored the #21 [[Wood Brothers Racing]] Ford for selected NASCAR [[Sprint Cup Series|NEXTEL Cup]] events, driven by [[Jon Wood]] and [[Bill Elliott]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Long|first1=Dustin|title=Two will share ride for Wood Brothers|url=http://www.greensboro.com/sports_professional/auto_racing/two-will-share-ride-for-wood-brothers/article_b243ce08-8c97-503a-8529-d498d69d1b07.html|access-date=9 February 2016|work=[[News & Record]]|date=October 4, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Ford Racing|author-link=Ford Racing|title=Charlotte II: Elliott - Ford Friday interview|url=https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/charlotte-ii-elliott-ford-friday-interview/2243185/|publisher=motorsport.com|access-date=April 28, 2024|date=October 13, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Little Debbie Ford Show car stopping by Q-C|url=http://www.qconline.com/sports/little-debbie-ford-show-car-stopping-by-q-c/article_3b80826f-0c0d-5aaf-a628-271711f2e34f.html|access-date=9 February 2016|work=[[The Dispatch / The Rock Island Argus]]|date=June 11, 2007}}</ref>
* In 2025, Ore-Ida entered into an [[Name, image and likeness|NIL]] deal with [[BYU Cougars men's basketball|BYU Cougars]] men’s basketball star [[Richie Saunders (basketball)|Richie Saunders]], whose great-grandfather, Francis Nephi Grigg, co-founded the company. Ore-Ida would refer to itself as “Ore-Richie” for the duration of Saunders’ and BYU’s stay in the [[2025 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2025 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-27 |title='Richie's Tater Shots': BYU's Saunders signs NIL deal with company founded by great-grandfather |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44422268/richie-saunders-byu-nil-deal-tater-tots-great-grandfather |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Russo |first=Ralph D. |date=2025-03-27 |title=BYU’s Richie Saunders, great-grandson of Ore-Ida founder, inks March Madness tater tots deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6233243/2025/03/26/byu-richie-saunders-ore-ida-tater-tots/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of frozen food brands]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* {{official website}}

{{Heinz}}

[[Category:Heinz brands]]
[[Category:Food manufacturers of the United States]]
[[Category:Frozen food brands]]
[[Category:Ontario, Oregon]]
[[Category:Food and drink companies established in 1952]]
[[Category:1952 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:Companies based in Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Food and drink in Idaho]]