Thunderbird Ranch Gourmet Foods & Dakota Seasonings
Our store operates as a support system for Open Door Center (ODC) in East Central North Dakota.
ODC is a non-profit that works with children and adults with developmental disabilities, adults with mental illness and people with a traumatic brain injury. They also operate the ODC Lisbon Thrift Store in Lisbon, ND and Eagle's Nest Book Store in Valley City, ND.
The production site and store were initially created to provide a way for clients of ODC to develop their skills and grow their independence through gainful employment. Individuals supported by ODC can work in one of the two licensed production kitchens (a gluten kitchen and a gluten free kitchen) and/or on one of the packaging/labeling crews. To learn more about ODC or to donate, visit our website at http://www.odcvc.com/.
Thunderbird Ranch Gourmet Foods was named for the Thunderbird Ranch, a working cattle ranch in western North Dakota, and was founded among the rolling Missouri River bluffs, south of Ray, ND, along the historic 1804 Lewis & Clark Highway in 1988. Our original product, Thunderbird Ranch Dressing, was carefully crafted by two master chefs, Mary and Monica, who knew down-home style cooking. The gourmet products they created started from their roadside vegetable stand to showcase their produce. ODC purchased the company in February 2012 when the ladies decided it was time to retire.
Amberland Foods/Dakota Seasonings originally began in 1988 in Harvey, ND in a small town bakery serving its soups, syrups, jams/jellies and dips to its daily customers. ODC then purchased the company in October 2015 to provide even more jobs for the individuals they serve.
Located in Valley City, ND, our two stores, Thunderbird Ranch Gourmet Foods and Dakota Seasonings, have merged into one, growing our product line even more to include dressings and dips, cheese balls, soups, breads, wine slushes, jams/jellies, syrups/sauces, meat rubs and many gluten free products that make for great eating and pleasing gifts. Although we’ve moved from the rolling bluffs to the prairie valleys, our products maintain the same great quality.
It is our mission to make products that are delicious, convenient to prepare, fun to serve, and allow us to help individuals with development disabilities become independent and successful people. We’re proud that our products carry the Pride of Dakota stamp and are featured in product shows across the state. Proud Pride of Dakota members since 1994.