New pemmican energy bar going on the market

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Last Updated: 5 years

Following two years of intense product development, Native American Natural
Foods, a Pine Ridge based company,  is preparing to launch its new buffalo energy bar based on old traditional pemmican recipes at the Black Hills Pow Wow, Oct. 5-7, in Rapid City, S.D.

The Tanka Bar, which pairs prairie-raised American buffalo with Wisconsin
cranberries, is a modern artisanal take on a traditional Native American
recipe for “wasna” or “pemmican,” which has been described by many
nutritionists as the perfect energy food. The 100 percent natural bar is 70
calories per 1 ounce serving and has no trans fats.

According to Karlene Hunter, CEO of the company, which is based in Kyle,
S.D., on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the Tanka Bar introduces a new
product category: the meat-based energy bar. “Tanka Bars don’t taste
medicinal or like a candy bar,” Hunter said. “They are tender, flavorful
and good for you. We’re convinced that once people taste them, they’ll
choose pure meat protein-based energy over ‘enhanced’ cereal bars every
time.”

The Tanka Bar, already a household name on the Pine Ridge Indian
Reservation, has also won the endorsement of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the
Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association and several nutrition experts
around the country.

According to Mark Tilsen, president of Native American Natural Foods, the
Tanka Bar is receiving an enthusiastic reception from Native American
people across the country. “It shows that people want healthy, authentic
Native foods with all the modern conveniences,” he said.

Native American Natural Foods has partnered with Rapid City’s Rushmore
Plaza Civic Center and the Black Hills Pow Wow Association to share its
milestone with the community that has helped nurture the tiny company’s big
brand ambitions.

Tanka Bars will be available at www.tankabar.com or you can contact the company at 1-800-416-7212.