Jeffrey Reed is the second-generation owner of Reed Food Technology, a company that specializes in creating custom spice and sauce blends for clients. Founded in 1995 by his father, R.J. Reed, the business began when R.J. had the opportunity to pivot from Tyson Foods after their acquisition of McCarty Foods. He developed several breading recipes and recognized his potential as a vendor.
Custom Solutions for Diverse Clients
“(A customer) comes to us and tells us a dream they have,” says Jeffrey Reed. “We do all the research, get the flavor profile the way the customer wants it, and we package it for them.” Initially, the company focused on selling seasonings in 50-pound bags and partnered with another business for blending. However, after acquiring their own production facility in 1998, Reed Food Technology has diversified packaging sizes and entered various market segments.
“We’ve got a lot of smaller, mom-and-pop-type operators all the way up to Fortune 500 companies,” Reed shares, highlighting the wide range of clients they serve. The company’s mission remains consistent: to foster client growth through tailored flavor profiles determined during initial consultations.
Unique Offering in Mississippi
This type of service is particularly rare in Mississippi. “We hear all the time—mainly from political figures—that they don’t know something like this exists in the state,” Reed notes. While there are other dry-blenders in Mississippi, Reed Food Technology distinguishes itself by offering diverse packaging options, including sauces, marinades, batters, and breadings, enabling customers to realize their product visions.
Looking ahead, Jeffrey Reed aims to expand the company’s capabilities to include hot-fill products, which can offer longer shelf-lives. He emphasizes the complexity of this process, which involves maintaining the material at elevated temperatures in its final packaging. “It’s difficult to do because there are drawbacks—it could continue to cook for hours or days inside the pallet,” he explains, emphasizing the need for effective temperature management.
Employment and Operational Growth
Reed Food Technology employs 56 workers at its metro location and another 35 in its north Mississippi site, which specializes in flour mixes and is directed by Jeffrey’s brother, Justin Reed. “We’re able to offer our customers a wider breadth of products by having more than one category of products for restaurant operators,” he adds.
For more information, visit reedfood.com or call 601-939-4001.