FORT WORTH, Texas – Nov. 9, 2023 – Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation recently recognized the Renfro family of Renfro Foods with the 2023 Walter Kaufmann Lifetime Achievement Award. Established in 2015 and first awarded to its namesake, Fort Worth restaurateur and “architect of local fine dining,” Walter Kaufmann, the award is reserved for individuals or families who embody the integrity, achievements and standards set by the late Fort Worth chef. The Renfro family joins previous recipients of the award including Chef Jon Bonnell, the late cooking school teacher Renie Stevens and the Anfin family.

“This recognition is a testament to my grandparents – George and Arthurine Renfro – and what they started more than 80 years ago," said Doug Renfro, president of Renfro Foods. “My family and I are blessed to carry their name and dream forward but we view them as the true entrepreneurs who, in 1940, founded Renfro Foods on the principles of treating people fairly, doing the right thing and making good products.”

Decades later, cousins Doug Renfro, Becky Renfro Borbolla and James Renfro run Mrs. Renfro’s salsa and Renfro Foods along with a tight knit group of employees. Just like their grandparents and parents before them, the Renfro family is still helping to promote a collaborative community spirit through a variety of sponsorships and speaking engagements at businesses, higher education classes and community events. Renfro family members currently serve (or have previously served) on boards and in leadership positions including for the Specialty Food Association, the Texas Food Processors Association, the North Texas Food Sales Association, the Chile Pepper Institute’s Advisory Council, Tarrant Area Food Bank, Women Steering Business, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce executive committee, Western Gold Region of the YPO (formerly the Young Presidents’ Organization), the Fort Worth and Texas Chambers of Commerce and more.

About Renfro Foods and Mrs. Renfro’s

Renfro Foods is a Fort Worth-based, third-generation family business that manufactures salsas, peppers, relishes and sauces. The company’s award-winning salsa line, Mrs. Renfro’s, includes nearly 30 products available through supermarkets, gourmet food stores and gift shops in all 50 states
and internationally. Originally founded in 1940 as a packaged spices and pepper sauce business, the Renfro family has continued to evolve and expand the brand into the multimillion-dollar business that it is today. In 2018 alone, the company was named a finalist for the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For more information about Renfro Foods products, visit MrsRenfros.com and connect with the company on social media via @MrsRenfros.