Alligator jerky just one of the unusual tastes at the Fresno Food Expo

Cruising through the annual Fresno Food Expo you will come across everything from nut butters to healthy snacks. And if your tastes lean toward something, say, meatier, then Wild Game Jerky is for you.

The Merced company is the distributor of Buffalo Bob’s brand of jerky. The meat sticks come in 35 different flavors and are made from a wide array of animals. There is no turkey jerky here. Think buffalo, alligator and ostrich. They used to sell kangaroo until it was banned.

“We for sure have things you have never tried,” said Justina Sabala, the owner of the company. “People like it ’cause it tastes different and it lasts a long time.”

And yes, some of the flavors can taste a bit gamey, like buffalo, but that’s what some consumers like, said Alyssa Loredo, a co-owner. “We do very well among the hunters, truckers and people who like to go camping.”

The jerky is popular at bait and tackle shops, convenience stores and retail stores from Bakersfield to Grass Valley.

This story was originally published July 27, 2017 at 1:31 PM with the headline "Alligator jerky just one of the unusual tastes at the Fresno Food Expo."