And how does Ventura Foods benefit CHS, the producers in the system, and the overall plan for growth in the food and food ingredients sector? I love the role Ventura Foods plays in the CHS value chain from seed to shelf. We buy soybean oil on the front end and we work to get our finished product to the shelf or table at the other end. Our ownership by both CHS and Mitsui, a Japanese company, allows us to tap into expertise and global connections. I really believe that value will grow. The relationship between CHS and Ventura Foods is very beneficial for both sides, especially as we look for future growth here and abroad, with connections to global markets. What foodservice trends are on the horizon? If you talk about the consumer, you can point to two or three megatrends. First is value. Given the economy, food processors and consumers are talking about value. Second is speed of life. With technology progressing so quickly, consumers are looking for speed and convenience. They are juggling more activities than ever and this affects how operators service them. Third is health and wellness. It’s hard to go anywhere without talking about the health phenomenon. We’re being challenged as manufacturers to think about the legislative front, too, with the best example being removing trans fats from processed foods. The next trend will revolve around sodium. But make no mistake, of these issues, value is by far the biggest trend due to the state of the economy. As you look ahead to the next five years, what do you see for Ventura Foods? One of the reasons I joined this company was our opportunity for growth. We’ll get a little bigger, but we’d like to think of ourselves as getting better, as well. If you came back five years from now, I hope you’ll see a larger company, an even more profitable company and one that’s committed to developing strong talent. CEO Chris Furman in the Ventura Foods Ontario, Calif., plant. •• HEAR MORE •• Find interview excerpts at chsinc.com/c. To learn more about Ventura Foods, visit venturafoods.com. Your CHS Connection 23