Tracker Pixel for Entry

Going “Nuts”

All About Food | December 10th, 2014

Perfectly Nuts

So let's talk about nuts and the holidays. I do mean the nuts you eat of course. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” definitely comes to mind as I write this, and now it is continually looping and stuck in my head! I think it's really interesting that, for me, the first thing I grab is holiday candy, any kind for that matter. It’s everywhere, but there's so much more out there to munch on that you can get your sweet fix from, something a little healthier. I'm talking about nuts.

With what I do for a living, catering and vending mostly, I have the pleasure of getting my fix of almonds twice a year (not nearly enough), because they are sold at the Holiday Showcase events that I am involved with in Fargo and Bismarck.

I was wondering how people decide to sell nuts for the rest of their life, so here's an interview with Perfectly Nuts, a family-owned business from Fargo, and Exceptionally Nuts, a family-owned business from Bismarck. In fact, the couples that own these are in-laws. Here is their a story in their words.

HPR: What is the most challenging part of this business?

Exceptionally Nuts: Honestly it’s sometimes the setup of things, because everything is made fresh on the spot, packaged on the spot too. You really have to be organized and sure everything is ready to go.

HPR: Has there ever been a major problem for you?

EN: Well, the only real time there is a problem of course is if our suppliers have a problem getting us our nuts. We get them from California. They have always, however, been able to meet our needs.

HPR: Can you give me a little background on your family? Are you from the Fargo-Moorhead area, and is this what you've done all your adult life for business? How long have you been doing this?

Perfectly Nuts: My husband and I are originally from Thief River Falls, MN but have lived in the West Fargo area for 12 years now. Which is also about the time we started the business.

HPR: How did you decide to do this is as a full-time job?

Perfectly Nuts: After our first child was born I was in the mortgage business and we were struggling to find a daycare, and I decided that this might be a good opportunity for me to start my own business.

HPR: Can you tell us what it takes to get from your business to the location? What do you have to bring just to set up?

Perfectly Nuts: We are permanent vendors in the Fargodome and Scheels Arena, so our booths are always set up and ready for us at each event. However we also do many outdoor art shows and concerts in the summer where we bring a trailer with our roasting equipment and everything we need.

HPR: Is this a family affair outside of your husband and yourself?

Perfectly Nuts: This is a total family business. My sister is in Bismarck and my parents are in Grand Forks selling them at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. And of course our kids are starting to help out more and more each year, so there is another generation in the business now!

HPR: How many different nuts do you roast and what is your best seller?

Perfectly Nuts: We roast almonds, sunflower seeds, pecans and cashews. The most popular by far is our cinnamon roasted almond.

HPR: What do your kids think about what you do? Do they enjoy it? I know that sometimes they are helping out or hanging out with you.

Perfectly Nuts: Our kids really enjoy helping us out and getting to go to the different shows and meeting the other vendors.

HPR: If you're not out selling at different events how does one find your product? Do you ship?

Perfectly Nuts: Check out our website (www.perfectlynuts.net) for ordering information. We have shipped our products to nearly every state!

HPR: Do you find that in this business there is a lot of competition with what you sell?

Perfectly Nuts: Yes, in a way, because there are usually a lot of food options, but it is also a fairly unique product. And of course the smell really helps!

HPR: What do you think the perfect combinations of nuts would be for a great holiday gift?

Perfectly Nuts: Our most popular holiday item is our three compartment container. It has a half pound of our almonds, cashews and sunflower seeds, so there is something for everyone to try.

HPR: Have you had any problems with all the nut allergies out there? What I am trying to ask is has it affected your sales at all?

Perfectly Nuts: We used to roast peanuts but quit due to allergy risks. Gluten intolerance is the big one beyond nut allergies, but thankfully we are a gluten-free product.

HPR: What is the biggest misconception, in your opinion, about nuts?

Perfectly Nuts: Well the almond, which we think of as a nut, is actually the seed of an almond fruit. And of course they are extremely healthy!

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakotans will take part in a nationwide civil rights rally on Thursday, July 17. Protests, marches, rallies and acts of service are scheduled in Bismarck, Bottineau, Devils Lake,…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

July 18-19, 25-26 and August 2-3North Dakota Horse Park, 5180 19th Ave. N., FargoLadies and gentlemen, prepare to place your bets — racing season is upon us! Not just horses will be racing this year; word on the street suggests…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com On July fourth, Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest took place at Coney Island. The winners, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, reigned victorious. Chestnut earned his 17th title by…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWhy doesn’t the world require politicians to leave office at 60?Most of the leaders of countries, whether gods, fascists, democrats or socialists, are not doing very well these days. David Van…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Simone Wairickgion@gmail.com The Red River Market returned to downtown Fargo on Saturday, July 12. The event will take place every Saturday except July 19. (That date will be moved to Sunday, July 20, due to the…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comPhoto by Sabrina Hornung Wing, North Dakota is a town of 132 located about an hour northwest of Bismarck on Highway 36. There’s a shiny new Cenex on the intersection of the highway and the high…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comPhoto by Yvonne Denault There is something intimate and personal about plays. Even in our age of multimillion dollar Hollywood productions and droves of streaming services, watching actors…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…