GROW Nebraska® Foundation and Buy Nebraska Blog

Cheryl Hughes has loved eating popcorn since she was a little girl, especially caramel corn. When she learned that her favorite popcorn snack shop at Kearney’s Hilltop Mall would be closing in 2000, she decided to take action. “My initial goal was to continue to offer caramel popcorn to the area,” Cheryl said. Nearly 20 years later, Cheryl and Gary Hughes’ HR Poppin’ Snacks Gourmet Popcorn pops more than 20,000 pounds of popcorn seeds annually from their production shop in Gibbon. They sell their popcorn in more than 135 flavors at stores around the country. Their stellar customer service, high-quality round popcorn and willingness to share and give back have helped them become a rural Nebraska success story. “I am able to help people a lot through this business,” Cheryl said. “You wouldn’t think that selling popcorn would allow you to do that.” Gary and Cheryl Hughes Starting a popcorn business When the Munchville snack shop owner announced he was closing his Hillto...

15 years ago, when Bhavesh Shah was tasked with finding the best popcorn in the world for the Sathyam Theatre in Chennai, India, he had no idea that he'd soon be on a flight to Nebraska in the middle of winter. Preferred Popcorn in Chapman, Nebraska (a member of GROW Nebraska since 2007) showed Shah around their cooperative farming organization, and soon, Shah was convinced that Preferred Popcorn fit the bill.  Since that day 15 years ago, Preferred Popcorn has been providing the popcorn that has become a staple in Sathyam Theatre's famous flavor-it-yourself popcorn. The high-yield, large kernels make the best theatre popcorn around. The personal touch makes it all the better. “What I love about working with them is how it’s not become a corporate set up. It has remained farmer-run where the CEO is himself on the tractor during planting season," said Shah. Want the full story from Sathyam Theatre? Read More Here! Do you want to try "The Best Popc...