A family hobby has turned into a flourishing family business. Jerry and Flora Komes started Flora Springs Wine Company as a single vineyard to keep them busy during retirement. The company, now run by their children John Komes and Julie Garvey and their families) operates a dozen Napa Valley vineyards and a winery. It distributes its red and white wine varietals under the Flora Springs label through its tasting room, via its Web site, and by mail order to states that allow such shipments. Flora Springs also offers tastings for corporate and group events.

Owned by Bill Ramsey and the family of late chairman Don Nucci, Mann Packing Co., Inc. was founded in 1939 by H.W. "Cy" Mann. Mann Packing is one of the world's largest suppliers of fresh broccoli and a leading shipper of cut vegetables. In addition to the vitamin-filled and not-presidentially-preferred florets, Mann's packages a variety of other fresh vegetables such as carrots, cauliflower, romaine lettuce, and snow peas. It serves both grocery and produce retailers, as well as customers in the foodservice industry.

Kagome Co. Ltd. is a Japan-based company mainly engaged in the manufacture, purchase and sale of food products. Kagome Company has two business segments. The Food segment is engaged in the manufacture and sale of drinks, gifts, food and food products for business, the manufacture and purchase of fresh vegetables, the purchase and sale of agriculture-related materials, as well as the sale of seeds and seedlings. This segment is also engaged in the mail-order business of products of Kagome Company. The Others segment is involved in the logistics and real estate businesses. As of March 31, 2010, Kagome Company had 11 subsidiaries and four associated companies.

Weetabix has been part of Great Britain's breakfast for nearly 80 years. Venturing beyond the Isles, the food maker has extended its reach to now sell its flakes and muesli in more than 80 countries. Weetabix company's breakfast cereals include its flagship brand Weetabix (a UK version of shredded wheat), Weetos, Ready brek, Alpen, and Oaty. The Weetabix brand accounts for about 8% of the UK's total cereal sales. Weetabix products jockey for space on store shelves alongside cereals made by US cereal behemoths General Mills and Kellogg. But Weetabix faces other foes as well, such as private-label cereals, ever more popular cereal bars, and busy people who skip breakfast. Lion Capital owns Weetabix.

The Oppenheimer Group was founded by the David Oppenheimer and his brothers in 1858 and originally provided food and supplies to gold prospectors. The Oppenheimer Group is a leading distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables to food retailers throughout North America. It delivers more than 100 different varieties of fresh produce from more than 20 countries, including citrus fruits, grapes, greenhouse vegetables, and pineapples, sold under several different brands. Oppenheimer has a dozen sales offices in Western Canada and across the US.

In February 2002, Todd Woloson and Greg Stroh, two friends who love good food and drink, were having lunch in Boulder, Colorado. They spoke of life and work, and what it would be like to start a company that not only made a great product, but also gave back to the greater good. They thought about the sophisticated European sodas they’d recently tried, and recognized an opportunity to create an all-natural version. Their beverage would have to be made from pure simple ingredients, and they‘d have to be proud to produce it, share it, and drink it. The goodness of this brand had to go beyond what was inside the bottle. In 1998, Todd and his wife, Eliza, had founded a non-profit, Global Education Fund, on the belief that educating kids secures a better future for the world. IZZE and GEF – a perfect blend of pure, simple, and good.

Dover Industries is a leading supplier of flour to the foodservice and baking industries with flour mills operating in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan. In addition to commercial flour products, it also makes private-label and retail flour as well as baking mixes. Dover's cone division makes ice cream cones under the Robinson brand name, Carousel straws and stir stix, and paper take-out food containers. Dover Industries company's cup division manufactures a wide variety of paper cups and cup-shaped containers for hot and cold food and beverages.

Sea Pearl Seafood Co., Inc. is a family-owned and -operated business and was founded in 1966. Sea Pearl Seafood's favorite gem is the shrimp. The Louisiana-headquartered company processes and packages fresh and frozen shrimp procured from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico under the Sea Pearl, Bayou La Batre, and Neptune brand names. Its farm-raised and wild shrimp products include peeled, headless, head-on, rock, royal red, and individually quick-frozen shrimp. Sea Pearl Seafood also offers its customers custom and private-label packaging.

DUDA has been around the block -- er, the vegetable chopping block. In business for some 80 years, A. Duda & Sons (DUDA) grows and markets fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as value-added produce products. The company sells its produce to retail and foodservice customers through it shipping and import/export operations. Its main offerings include celery (DUDA is one of the world's largest celery producers), radishes, lettuce, onions, and sweet corn, as well as citrus fruits, all sold under the DANDY label. DUDA also grows and processes sugarcane and sod and has cattle operations. Its Viera division develops and manages commercial and residential properties in Florida.

An industry leader in the manufacturing of extruded and panned candy products, the American Licorice Company is one of the original licorice manufacturers in the U.S. candy industry. Since its establishment in 1914, American Licorice has brought happiness to consumers with their Red Vines®, Snaps®, Sour Punch®, and Super Ropes® candy and now, American Licorice Company brings more happiness with Natural Vines® premium all natural licorice and Extinguisher® chewy sour candy. American Licorice makes candy concoctions using one of America's favorite flavorings -- licorice. The company manufactures licorice twists, pieces, and ropes in various flavors (including original red, original black, strawberry, and cherry). It also makes sour hard candies. American's brand names include Red Vines, Snaps, Super Ropes, and Sour Punch.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.