X
Home > About Us > Our History

Our History

Timeline
Awards

With a collective heritage spanning over 250 years in the United States, Ajinomoto Foods North America continues to serve as a leader in the specialty frozen foods industry.

+ Read More

The Ajinomoto Co. was founded in 1909 by Japanese professor Dr. Kikunae Ikeda and businessman Mr. Saburosuke Suzuki II with a vision to improve the overall health and nutrition of the Japanese people. They created the Ajinomoto Group to begin marketing Umami through the product AJI-NO-MOTO®.

Since 1909, The Ajinomoto Co. has expanded globally to over 30 countries and areas around the world, employing over 30,000 employees.

Ajinomoto Foods North America is one of the many affiliates that continue to carry the history and aspirations of our founding fathers. Ajinomoto Foods North America continues to share the passion for improving the nutrition and health of our customers through great tasting food.

1909

  • Dr. Kikunae Ikeda and Mr. Saburosuke Suzuki II launch the company in Japan on May 20

1917

  • The Ajinomoto Co. opens the New York purchasing and sales office

1951

  • The Los Angeles sales office is reopened

1956

  • Ajinomoto USA Inc. established

1970

  • HONDASHI® launches

1986

  • Heartland Lysine Plant begins operations in Eddyville, Iowa

1993

  • Ajinomoto USA Plant begins operations in Iowa

2000

  • Ajinomoto Frozen Foods USA Inc. (AFU) established

2011

  • Ajinomoto North America, Inc. (AJINA) established

2014

  • Ajinomoto North America, Inc. (AJINA) acquires Windsor Quality Holdings, LP, a US company that manufactures and sells frozen food (November)

2018

  • Ajinomoto Windsor changes its name to Ajinomoto Foods North America,. Inc.

2020

  • Black Pearl Food Safety and Quality Award 2020

2019

  • Sysco 2019 Bronze Supplier Award

2017

  • North Mississippi Industrial Development Association – Industry of the Year

2016

  • Industrial Pretreatment Award Winners (The City of Portland, Oregon)

2015

  • Industrial Pretreatment Award Winners (The City of Portland, Oregon)
  • Japan-America Society of Oregon International Business Achievement Award
  • Chamber’s Choice Award (Carthage, MO)

2014

  • Reinhart Foodservice – Supplier of the Year for Food Safety and Quality Assurance
  • EveryDay with Rachel Ray Magazine – Best Mini Egg Roll (Tai Pei Mini Spicy Chicken Egg Rolls)

2013

  • Quality Excellence Award
  • Private Label Manufacturers Association Asian Category Award
  • Federated Foods Marketing/Education award
  • Private Label Buyer Category Colonel Gold (5) Awards
  • Sysco Heritage Supplier Diversity Award
  • Progressive Grocer Editors’ Picks – Tai Pei Asian Garden Single-Serve Entrees
  • Progressive Grocer Editors’ Picks – José Olé Chicken & Cheese Nacho Bites
  • Private Label Manufacturers Association “Salute to Excellence” Award for Product Development
  • Landor Associates Breaking Away Brands Recognition for José Olé
  • Progressive Grocer’s Editors Pick for Innovation – José Olé Nacho Bites and Tai Pei Asian Garden Entrees
  • Sysco San Francisco Frozen/Refrigerated Vendor of the Year
  • Sysco Bronze Vendor of the Year in for Frozen/Convenience
  • Sysco Silver Heritage Award
  • Jacmar Diamond Award Nominee

2012

  • US Foods Los Angeles Frozen Supplier of The Year
  • Star Award for Quality
  • Private Label Buyer Gold (2) and Silver (3) Category Colonel Awards
  • Sysco Los Angeles Frozen Vendor of the Year Nominee
  • Sysco Top 100
  • VIP Foods Hawaii Vendor of the Year

2011

  • Star Award for Quality
  • Private Label Buyer Gold Category Colonel Award
  • Sysco Central Frozen Vendor of the Year
  • Sysco Los Angeles Frozen Vendor of the Year Nominee
  • Sysco Top 100

2010

  • City of Portland and the Oregon Consular Corps 2010 International Business Award
  • Supplier of the Year Award for Sysco San Francisco
  • Frozen Supplier of the Year Award for Sysco Los Angeles
  • Frozen Supplier of the Year Award for VIP Foods Hawaii
  • Darden Supplier of the Year
  • Meijer Frozen Vendor of the Year
  • Sysco Top 100
  • US Foods Frozen Vendor of the Year

2009

  • Sysco’s 2009 Heritage Award
  • Bronze Level in Sysco’s 2009 Top 100 Award List
  • 2009 Star Award from Pizza Hut for innovation
  • US Foods Vendor of the Year Award
  • Refrigerated & Frozen Foods – Logistics Leadership Award

2008

  • Frozen Food Age Category Leadership Award – Best of Class: Frozen Mexican, José Olé
  • Women’s Enterprise 4th Largest Women-Owned Company in the U.S.
  • Windsor Foods Takes #26 Spot in Sysco’s 2008 Top 100 Award List
  • Sysco 2008 Heritage Award – Silver
  • Private Label Buyer 2008 Category Colonel Award – Excellence in Private Label
  • Partnership Programs
  • US Foodservice Milwaukee Supplier of the year

2007

  • Frozen Food Age Category Leadership Award – Best of Class (Frozen Mexican, José Olé)
  • Refrigerated & Frozen Foods – Retailer Category Colonel Award – Excellence in Branded Partnership Programs (Frozen Mexican, José Olé)
  • Darden Restaurants, Inc. – Supplier of the Year
  • Windsor Foods Takes #20 Spot in Sysco’s 2007 Top 100 Award List
  • Private Label Buyer 2007 Category Colonel Award – Excellence in Private Label Partnership Programs

2006

  • Frozen Food Age Category Leadership Award – Best of Class (Frozen Mexican, José Olé)
  • Topco – Frozen Vendor of the Year
  • Refrigerated & Frozen Foods – Retailer Processor of the Year
  • Windsor Foods Takes #13 Spot in Sysco’s 2006 Top 100 Award List
  • Melting Pot – Vendor of the Year
  • Private Label Buyer 2006 Category Colonel Award – Excellence in Private Label Partnership Programs

2005

  • Darden Restaurants, Inc. – Supplier of the Year
  • Windsor Foods Takes #12 Spot in Sysco’s 2005 Top 100 Award List
  • Gordon’s Food Service – VIP Foods Partner Award
  • Private Label Buyer 2005 Category Colonel Award – Excellence in Private Label Partnership Programs

2004

  • HEB – Vendor of the Year
  • Darden Restaurants, Inc. – Supplier of the Year
  • Gordon’s Food Service – VIP Foods Partner Award

2003

  • Gordon’s Food Service – VIP Foods Partner Award

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. By agreeing you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy.

Privacy Settings saved!
Cookie Settings

In addition to the privacy policy update, please add “Cookie Notification,” a pop-up message that appears when a web-site is accessed that states: We use cookies on our websites in order to (a) ensure that our websites work well, (b) enhance your experience on our websites, and (c) analyze use of our websites.  Please click on “Agree” below to consent to our use of cookies.  Please click on “Disagree” if you do not consent.  Please note that our websites may not function as smoothly without cookies.  Please click here if you want to read more about our privacy policy. Clicking on “Agree” should remove the notice and allow normal use on the site.  Clicking on “Disagree” should enable the user to continue to use the site but without collecting any cookies.  Clicking on “here” should take the user to a separate page with the web privacy policy.

Cookies to measure the quality and performance of site content.

  • _ga

Decline all Services
Accept all Services