POPping for Kids: The Kernel and His Cajun Popcorn

by Stephen Faure

Who would have guessed feeding salty snacks to beer-drinking veterans would produce a fundraising phenomenon?

Ralph C. Friend—the fourth generation of the founding Friends family of Friendsville, Maryland, mind you—now known as “The Kernel,” is a popcorn entrepreneur. A veteran of the Korean War, he occasionally helped to tend bar at the local VFW post. He brought his homemade popcorn—made with his own concoction of seasonings—to serve to the vets with their beer. It was a hit. All the guys said he should sell it. So he did.

The Kernel’s real job, the one that brought him and his family to the New Orleans area, was as a fundraiser working for the Boy Scouts of America. You know the Boy Scouts who sell popcorn to raise funds? That was his idea.

In 1978, The Kernel introduced his brand, Cajun Popcorn. When he started selling his popcorn, he did it with the mindset that he could make money not just for himself, but for the kids, too. “When I got out of college, I was supposed to be a preacher,” he says. “But I always had a knack for raising money for kids.” He adopted a white military-band-director-type uniform, putting together an unmistakable persona as the face of the brand.

Before Katrina, he was popping corn in a warehouse off Franklin Ave. in New Orleans; five feet of water put an end to that location and almost put an end to the business. The Kernel’s daughters, Sandra and Pam, helped start the corn popping again and revamped the brand’s packaging and distribution, getting it back into convenience and grocery stores.

Pam explains their products: “It’s different from other popcorns out there. For one thing, it’s popped in oil, or, as we say, ‘Never air-popped because flavor matters’—and it’s cholesterol-free. Second, the seasonings are not what you’ll find on other popcorns. Hot and Spicy is all heat. The Creole flavor is seasoned, but with a little kick. Kid-friendly flavors include Cheese, Sour Cream and Chive, Butter, Butter Garlic and Caramel for everyone’s sweet tooth.

Today, a portion of all Cajun Popcorn sales goes to charity, and The Kernel makes regular appearances at fundraisers all over the area. He’s worked with the Magnolia School, a school for the developmentally disabled; the Make-A-Wish Foundation; and Children’s Hospital, visiting children in his Kernel’s uniform and attending fundraisers. The Kernel popped up (tee hee) on the northshore to help benefit the kids during the Barnyard Smackdown, a BBQ cook-off and food festival benefiting Children’s Hospital held at Fontainebleau State Park in November.

The Kernel sums up his philosophy. “If you had the ability to make some money, shouldn’t you give some away?” It’s also summed up in his actions. “It could be anywhere in the country, nationwide. If you call and say, ‘Help us raise some money for kids,’ I’ll be there.”

Look for The Kernel at charity events all over the area, and look for Cajun Popcorn in stores around town. If it’s not there, it will be soon. You can also visit CajunPopcorn.com.