House Foods Executives Visit Northern Illinois Soybean Growers Participating in Franklin Farms Proud Farmers Project

Kingston, Ill., farmer Justin Bolander this year’s soybean crop
with House Food Holding USA executives during their recent visit
to thank growers for their hard work to produce organic soybeans
as part of the Franklin Farms Proud Farmers Project.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025
CONTACT: ERIC WOOLSON
515.681.3967
ewoolson@theconceptworks.com

MALTA, Ill. – As part of a company recognition of the Midwest farmers who produce environmentally friendly, organic and non-GMO soybeans, four House Foods Holding USA Inc. executives visited two area farms to thank growers who participate in the Franklin Farms Proud Farmers Project.

“The farmers who grow soybeans for Franklin Farms, one of House Foods Holding USA Inc.’s brands, products share our corporate commitment to delivering only the best, healthiest ingredients and they share our determination to protect the environment by leaving the soil, water and air in better condition than they found it,” said House Foods Holding USA Inc. Manager of Business Development Kazuhiko Suzuki and General Manager of Business Strategy Department Masaki Shinoda, who led the group on visits to the Kingston, Ill., farm of Justin Bolander and the Malta, Ill., farm of Alex Hopkins. During the visits, both young farmers touted the importance of growing safe, healthy foods for American consumers.

During the group’s visit to one of his soybean fields, Hopkins, who farms with his father-in-law, Aaron Butler, shared the challenges and rewards of producing certified organically grown crops on 4,000 acres each year. Butler’s first certified-organic crop year was in 1997 and Hopkins described organic farming as a passion. “I can’t imagine doing anything else,” he said

Hopkins also told House Foods Holding USA Inc. team that this year’s harvest is expected to begin during the first or second week of October.

Bolander’s farming operation is just 17 miles north of Alex Hopkins’ operation. He and his family switched to organic farming in 2015 as they reevaluated the safety of our food system after Justin’s mom passed away from cancer. He told visitors that his farm’s soil health has improved dramatically since the shift to chemical-free farming. One such benefit is that the ground absorbs more rain than conventionally farmed fields, which tend to experience runoff that carries away chemicals and more precious soil.

Suzuki and Shinoda noted that the proud farmer project exists to “honor and elevate the essential partnership between our organic soybean farmers, our production team, and the people we serve. Through transparency, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to food safety and quality, we foster integrity at every step – from the farm to your table.”

They added, “The growers who participate in the Franklin Farms Proud Farmer Project are proud of their work, and we’re here because that pride is a two-way street. We are very proud of these outstanding farmers because they are motivated by the highest ideals of creating healthy crops, healthy people and a healthy planet. We hope their dedication and success will be an inspiration to others in the farming profession and to the millions of consumers who want wholesome food for themselves and their families.”

House Foods is a Japanese food company that has been producing and marketing tofu and plant-based food (PBF) products throughout the United States, with a history of more than 40 years in the market.

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