The Family Tradition Continues With Kelley McCaffray Martin.

National Frozen Foods Corporation processes nearly 300 million pounds of vegetables annually which ranks the Seattle-based company among the top five frozen private label vegetable processors in the country. But what makes them different from other companies is that National Frozen Foods Corporation

The National legacy began more than 87 years ago when William Peck McCaffray and his brother-in-law, Mark Ewald, had a remarkable idea--starting a family-operated fruit canning company. With $10,000 in hand, the two entrepreneurs established National Fruit Canning Co. in Olympia, Washington, on January 15, 1912. Throughout the years, National has experienced growth and change, and today the company is one of America's leading frozen vegetable processors with continuous McCaffray leadership for four generations.

After National's founder, William P. McCaffray, Sr. passed away in 1944, his son Ted McCaffray took over as President. In 1986, Ted McCaffray passed on his title to his son and present CEO, Stephen McCaffray. As Stephen McCaffray continues to lead National, his daughter, Kelley McCaffray Martin, is making a name for herself as a prominent figure within the frozen food industry.

"I can remember when my father walked me through the cannery," Kelley said. "1 remember how wonderful the strawberries smelled when they were being processed and how amazed I was at the millions of peas that moved from belt to belt and then ended up on our dinner table," she added. Today, as Director of Foodservice Sales, Kelley represents her family's 87-year-old company in the foodservice industry, which is no small task. Over the years, the small canning company has been transformed into one of the food industry's leading frozen vegetable processors with headquarters in Seattle and plants located in Burlington, Moses Lake and Chehalis, Washington, as well as Albany, Oregon.

Primarily, National produces and distributes specialty cut carrots, corn, peas, lima beans, green beans, cob corn and pureed products to customers in the foodservice, industrial and retail industries, both nationally and internationally. Last year, National completed their fiscal year with record high sales of more than $107 million.

So how did this fourth generation McCaffray go from touring the family business as a child to setting new standards within the frozen food industry? "By being committed to the future of National through a lot of hard work," she said. Kelley McCaffray Martin graduated from the University of Washington in 1990 and began working for her family's company in March of 1992. With a confident, professional and outgoing personality, it was obvious that a career of sales and customer relations was a perfect fit.

Her industry experience began with the development and marketing of a new line of frozen vegetable and fruit purees. Kelley's first project was to penetrate the health care industry, thus establishing business with foodservice distributors. The industrial customers soon caught on to the benefits of frozen vegetable puree. With the support of all the National team members, National launched over a dozen new items in their foodservice product line. The quality and promotion of the vegetable puree was so successful that the top three foodservice companies added them to their product list. "As a new member of the National team, I was overwhelmed by the knowledge and support that the team members brought to the projects. Their expertise and commitment has made the project an ongoing success," Kelley added.

After a business review in August, 1993, National decided that it was time to expand the business into new markets. That prompted the promotion of Kelley to Director of International Sales. "National has always limited their percentage of international business," said Kelley. "We decided to recognize and evaluate the vast opportunities internationally." With National's optimal plant locations in Washington and Oregon the Pacific Rim was a natural fit. As Director of International Sales, Kelley added 19 new customers that contributed to a total of 41 million pounds of exported vegetables. The export market was the obvious choice for National's growth. The National team was ready for the challenges that Asia and specifically Japan could present. "Over the last four years working with our international customers, I have seen the National team members' uncompromising commitment to product quality and customer service which is the foundation of our family company."

Just last year, Kelley was named the Director of Foodservice Sales, with responsibility for a large percentage of National's business. Now, having the opportunity to build on a history of relationships, Kelley plans to grow existing business as well as develop new business.

"National's commitment is to continue to help our customers look for ways to be the best they can be." Kelley added, "1 am proud to follow in my father, grandfather and greatgrandfather's footsteps. In their eighty seven years of leading National, they have built an atmosphere of openness, teamwork, trust and respect. As the fourth generation, I hope to maintain the National goal of serving our customers and improving the company each day for generations to come."