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May Highlights from ICI Foods

Pallet Perspectives

Sharing stories behind the ingredients that fuel our business.

Wellness Starts at the Ingredient Level

May is Wellness Month!

From clean-label reformulation to ingredient transparency, the role of our industry in supporting better-for-you products has never been more important. Our customers are navigating a shift toward simpler, more functional ingredients—and we’re here to make that transition seamless.

Whether it’s natural sweeteners, fiber-forward solutions, or responsibly sourced inputs, ICI Foods is positioned as a strategic partner in delivering products that meet evolving consumer expectations without compromising on quality or performance.

Wellness isn’t a trend—it’s a responsibility. And it’s one we’re committed to advancing every day.

From Field to Finished Sugar: Inside U.S. Sugar’s Operation

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Joe Pryor toured portions of U.S. Sugar’s vertically integrated operation, offering a firsthand look at the scale behind one of the nation’s key sugar producers. Farming 235,000 acres across S. Florida, U.S. Sugar operates as a cooperative of cane growers with rotational crops like sweet corn and green beans. Ownership today includes family foundations and an ESOP — reinforcing a long-term, stewardship-driven model.

Like many in the industry, U.S.

Sugar markets through United Sugars Corporation—ICI Foods’ primary commodity sugar partner.

The Process at a Glance

  • Cane observed at ~3 months of growth

  • Controlled burns prepare fields for efficient harvesting

  • Mechanically cut cane moves via ~800 railcars to the mill

  • Milling capacity: ~1,000 acres per day

  • Raw sugar is refined for food-grade use or stored

Inside the Source: Strengthening Our Global Honey Supply

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Joe Pryor and Ty Radke traveled across Asia to meet directly with key honey suppliers, reinforcing the relationships that power our global sourcing network. The trip highlighted our growing shift toward direct partnerships in markets like Vietnam, Thailand, and India—unlocking greater transparency, scalability, and long-term supply stability.

From emerging producers expanding capacity to vertically integrated operations investing in organic and retail capabilities, these visits underscore a clear priority: building a more resilient, high-quality honey supply chain from the ground up.