WAY TO GROW!

Billy Bean's Shares its Success

GO TEXAN member Billy Bean's LLC in Abilene is a company that takes it business to heart. Sales of Billy Bean's I "Scream" sauce is good news not only for the company, but also for the dedicated manufacturers Billy Bean's chose to make the award-winning salsa: that is, Disability Resources Incorporated, a non-profit organization designed to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities.

Billy Bean's owner, Tony Dry approached Disability Resources two years ago about having the organization produce his salsa as a part of its vocational program providing work opportunities for adults with special needs. The arrangement means jobs and paychecks in addition to helping raise money for housing and other needs. The salsa is prepared by hand in Disability Resource's state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, from chopping, cutting and cooking to bottling and labeling. Business couldn't be better, either. Billy Bean's salsa was recently selected to be the private label for United Supermarket, with the initial order topping 1,200 cases (some 14,000 jars). The salsa has also received national recognition from Food Distribution Magazine and Chile Pepper Magazine, which also did a lengthy story on the company.

Other Billy Bean's offering include pickled quail eggs, Billy Bean's Down Right Incredible BBQ Sauce, and a new product called Coffee Joe's Beans in a Bucket Campfire Cooker. The cooker, packaged in a paint can, includes red beans, a jar of Billy Bean's I "Scream" sauce, bean seasoning by DoCoty Coffee Company, DeCoty coffee and tea and a box of matches-all the ingredients needed to pop the can right over the campfire.

In addition to Billy Bean's, Disability Resources Incorporated also manufactures products fro two other GO TEXAN member companies, including Carrie Belles Sweet Hot Tomato Relish and The Original Bread and Butter Jalapeno from West Texas Pepper Traders.