News

Latest articles from News


Posted on Jan 04, 2013
Tanka CEO wins leadership award from National Association for the Specialty Food Trade
Jenice Johnson, assistant director of marketing


We are very pleased to announce that our CEO, Karlene Hunter, has won a leadership award from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. NASFT is a not-for-profit trade association established in 1952 to foster commerce and interest in the specialty food industry (more...)


Posted on Oct 15, 2012
Bison World magazine features the Tanka story this month
Tanka team

Bison World magazine just published an article on Tanka Bar written by our director of marketing and communications, Linda Crider.

The National Bison Association produces the quarterly magazine and is an incentive to members (more...)


Posted on Mar 08, 2012
Tanka Bar's Native employment success highlighted on Black Hills FOX News
Jenice Johnson, manager of marketing and communications

KEVN-TV of Rapid City, SD, featured Tanka Bar on their evening news this week. The story touted the company's success at giving Native people on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation employment opportunities (more...)


Posted on Feb 14, 2012
The Associated Press: SD snack maker expects growth with Whole Foods
Kristi Eaton

The Associated Press writer Kristi Eaton wrote about Native American Natural Foods product, the Tanka Bar, and approval into Whole Foods Market locations nationwide. Please note, although approved nationwide, not every Whole Foods sells Tanka products yet and it is up to each store to carry them (more...)


Posted on Feb 01, 2012
CBS-affiliate interview: Snacking is serious business on the Pine Ridge Reservation
Jenice Johnson, manager of marketing and communications

Tanka Bar CEO Karlene Hunter and our social media specialist, Jason Stover , were featured last night in a story about the company on KELO Television of Sioux Falls, SD.

Television reporter Derek Olson of KELO stopped by Tanka headquarters last week to do the interviews and learn more about th (more...)


Posted on Nov 15, 2011
Team shares Tanka with the world at the Americas Food and Beverage Show and Conference
the Tanka Team

Our CEO Karlene Hunter and Shipping Specialist, Kelly Hunter, have been having a wonderful time at the 15th Americas Food and Beverage Show and Conference this week, located at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida (more...)


Posted on Nov 10, 2011
Tanka president testifies at Banking Committee hearing in D.C.
the Tanka Team

Mark Tilsen, president of Native American Natural Foods, testified at a Senate Banking Committee hearing today in Washington, D.C., that focused on economic development opportunities and challenges in Indian Country (more...)


Posted on Nov 08, 2011
Tanka featured as a bright spot in the healthy market
the Tanka Team

Our Tanka team member Danaj Edmond recently attended the GSA Conference on Wellness & Greening Initiatives within Snack Bars and Vending Machines.

The conference, which took place at the GSA Regional Office Building in Washington, D (more...)


Posted on Nov 03, 2011
Sen. Tim Johnson invites Tanka president to testify at Banking Committee hearing in D.C.
the Tanka Team

Mark Tilsen, president of Native American Natural Foods, has been asked by Sen. Tim Johnson to testify at a hearing Thursday, Nov. 10, titled "Opportunities and Challenges for Economic Development in Indian Country" in Washington, D (more...)


Posted on Nov 02, 2011
Tanka Bar founders accept SVN award in Philadelphia
the Tanka Team

Mark Tilsen, president of Native American Natural Foods, and Karlene Hunter, CEO, are among six winners of the Social Venture Network's prestigious Innovation Award. They accepted their award this past weekend at the 2011 Social Venture Network Fall Conference SVN Innovation Awards Ceremony in Philadelphia (more...)


Posted on Sep 26, 2011
Check out the flyer: Tanka on sale at Clark's Nutrition & Natural Foods through the end of September
Jenice Johnson, manager of marketing and communications

See the whole flyer: Clark's Nutrition & Natural Foods Market

For information and store locations:
clarksnutrition.com (more...)


Posted on Aug 03, 2011
Easy Open, Earth-Friendly Tanka FreshPack: Tanka Bars have a new look, even more traditional taste
Jenice Johnson, manager of marketing and communications

In our ongoing journey to become a more sustainable company with respect for Mother Earth, Native American Natural Foods is proud to announce a new greener and fresher Tanka Bar package.

The new Easy Open, Earth-Friendly Tanka FreshPack captures the original freshness and brightness of the powerful flavors of the Tanka Bar (more...)


Posted on Jul 20, 2011
Tanka Bar founders named winners of the 2011 SVN Innovation Awards
Jenice Johnson, story, and Jason Stover, photo

We just received word from Social Venture Network that Mark Tilsen, president of Native American Natural Foods, and Karlene Hunter, CEO, are among six winners of the SVN 2011 Innovation Awards ! South Dakota Public Broadcasting's Charles Michael Ray happened to already be at our headquarters today (more...)


Posted on Jul 15, 2011
Tanka Bites are now a Presidential treat
Linda Crider, director of marketing and communications

(more...)


Posted on Jul 20, 2011
Golf Digest names Tanka Bar a top healthy snack among industry heavy hitters
the Tanka Team

We are excited and proud to announce that Tanka Bar was listed as one of six top nutrition bars in the May 2011 edition of Golf Digest . The magazine, on newsstands next week, contacted four nutritionists to give their expert advice on the best bars on the market for golfers (more...)


Posted on Jun 22, 2011
Tanka founders finalists for SVN Innovation Award
Linda Crider, director of marketing and communications

Mark Tilsen, president of Native American Natural Foods, and Karlene Hunter, CEO, have been named finalists by the Social Venture Network for its prestigious Innovation Award.

Now in its fifth year, the SVN Innovation Awards recognize the most promising social ventures and innovative entrepreneurs working to create a more sustainable world (more...)


Posted on Apr 22, 2011
20/20 associate producer interviews Tanka CEO Karlene Hunter
Jenice Johnson, manager of marketing and communications

Samantha Wender, associate producer of "20/20," "Primetime" and ABC News Magazines , stopped by the Tanka headquarters yesterday.

Ms. Wender has been working on a story covering the Pine Ridge Reservation for a few months and wanted to include Tanka in the piece (more...)


Posted on Apr 01, 2011
CEO Karlene Hunter attends 25th Annual Reservation Economic Summit
the Tanka Team

Karlene Hunter, Native American Natural Foods CEO, is on the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development board. She recently attended the 25th Annual Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas, NV (more...)


Posted on Mar 28, 2011
Rapid City Journal: Tanka team is "tasting success," continuing mission
the Tanka Team

The Rapid City Journal came out to the Tanka Bar headquarters in Kyle, SD, last week and featured the team. Along with providing a timeline of Tanka's success, the article gave an update on where the company is headed and its continued message (more...)


Posted on Mar 08, 2011
Tanka Bar partners with IGNITE Sales Management in national strategy
Linda Crider, director of marketing and communications

KYLE, S.D., March 7, 2011 - Native American Natural Foods, maker of the Tanka Bar, the No. 1 buffalo snack in the natural foods industry, announced today a partnership with IGNITE Sales Management and Consulting (more...)