Don Pancho Celebrates National Tortilla Month

Salem, OR, September 1, 2008 — Don Pancho, the Northwest’s leading provider of authentic Mexican foods, invites consumers to celebrate the first inaugural National Tortilla Month this September. California Congressman Devin Nunes officially declared the month as National Tortilla Month to educate and advocate for this fast-growing industry.

Ricardo Baez, Don Pancho executive vice president and Tortilla Industry Association board member states, “Tortillas are the second most popular bread type in America and the fastest growing segment of the baking industry with U.S. sales now exceeding all other ethnic and specialty breads. They are literally, the next best thing to sliced bread!”

To celebrate, Don Pancho invites consumers to plan a “Healthy Taco Night” this September. Taco nights are a quick and inexpensive dinner option for busy families on the go. Building taco nights into your family dinner routine also offers children a hands-on opportunity to learn about healthy food and cooking.

Fast Facts: Did You Know?

• The first tortillas, which date 10,000 years before Christ, were made with native corn from dried kernels.
• Tortillas are more popular in the U.S. than all other ethnic breads including bagels, English muffins and pita bread.
• Americans consume more than 85 billion tortillas each year (not including tortilla chips!)
• Don Pancho bakes more than 3 million tortilla shells every day.
• Every day more than 100 trucks deliver fresh baked Don Pancho tortillas to hundreds of grocery stores and restaurants across the Northwest.

Recipe: Carne Asada Tacos: Courtesy Don Pancho (www.donpancho.com)

• 8 ounce DonPancho Corn or Flour Tortillas
• 4 Tbs Olive Oil
• 4 Tbs minced, fresh Cilantro
• 1 Red Onion, thinly chopped
• 1 lb Skirt or Flank Steak, cut into ¼” long strips
• 1 Tbs Garlic Salt
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 Avocado, peeled and diced
• Salsa

Heat oil in large skillet, over high heat. Add steak, garlic salt, salt and pepper to the skillet and cook until no longer pink, about 2 minutes. Transfer to heated bowl.

Warm tortillas over gas flame or electric burner until they begin to color. Transfer to napkin-lined basket.

To serve, have diners assemble their own tacos at the table using remaining ingredients.

About Don Pancho

In 1979 Francisco Puentes founded Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods providing flour and corn tortillas to Independent Hispanic grocery stores and restaurants. Thirty years later under the leadership of his son, George Puentes, Don Pancho has grown with manufacturing facilities in Salem, North Carolina and Salt Lake City. Don Pancho bakes more than 3 million tortilla shells every day. It sells to 2,000 retail stores and 2,000 restaurants across the nation. In addition to tortillas, the manufacturer has diversified to also offer low-fat wraps, gluten-free wraps, chips, tostadas and spices. With the continued expansion, one thing remains the same, Don Pancho’s commitment to create authentic Mexican food using recipes handed down from generations. For more information visit www.donpancho.com.