Why Us
Established in 1989, Santa Ana Packaging, Inc. is located in the city of La Mirada and brings over three decades of expertise in box manufacturing. We are understanding of our customers’ unique needs, offering tailored designs, high-quality materials, and work with our customers like we are a part of their team. If our customers do not succeed, we do not either.
Our commitment to innovation, precision, and customer satisfaction sets us apart as a trusted partner in the packaging industry.
- Quality Products & Competitive Prices
- Customer Satisfaction
- Centrally located in Southern California, easily accessible from all major freeways
Community Commitment
Eco-Conscious Practices
At Santa Ana Packaging, Inc., sustainability is at the heart of what we do. All our boxes are environmentally friendly, and our stock items are 100% recyclable for end users.
We are committed to protecting the planet today, tomorrow, and for future generations.
Supporting Local Suppliers
Our products are proudly MADE IN THE USA. We source American-made paper and prioritize local suppliers.
All products we purchase to finish our goods (including plastic wrap) are from local companies within a 100 mile radius of our facility.
Giving Back to the Community
We support various organizations, including the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Food Bank.
Quality You Can Trust
Premium, food-safe materials keep your baked goods fresh and beautiful. Sturdy, eco-friendly paperboard delivers durability and elegance for every cake, pastry, and treat.
The Story of Cambodian Donut Shops
and the Pink Donut Box
When Cambodian refugees arrived in the United States in the late 1970s and early 1980s, most carried heavy memories but light luggage. They were survivors of one of the 20th century’s darkest chapters: the Khmer Rouge regime.
From 1975 to 1979, Cambodia was ruled by the Khmer Rouge, a radical communist movement led by Pol Pot. Their goal was to create a classless agrarian society by abolishing money, religion, private property, and city life. To achieve this, millions of people were forced from urban areas into the countryside for brutal labor. Mass starvation, executions, disease, and torture swept the nation. An estimated 1.7 to 2 million Cambodians—nearly a quarter of the population—lost their lives during this genocide.
The regime fell in 1979 when Vietnam invaded Cambodia, but survivors were left with profound trauma and a shattered country. Many sought refuge in the United States, hoping for safety, stability, and a chance to rebuild.
In Southern California—among strip malls, freeways, and early-morning commuters—these refugees found an unexpected path forward: donut shops.
A New Start in a Sweet Business
The turning point came through Ted Ngoy, later known as The Donut King. After learning the trade at Winchell’s, he realized that owning a donut shop could offer stability to newly arrived Cambodian refugees. He taught others everything—how to fry dough, welcome customers, manage long hours, and run a business from scratch.
Word spread quickly.
Family by family, the Cambodian community embraced the donut industry, where limited English wasn’t a barrier and where hard work could lead to financial independence. Soon, Cambodian-owned donut shops became fixtures of Southern California—warm, consistent, open before dawn, and built on the resilience of a people rebuilding their lives.
the Origin of the Pink Donut Box
While these families were establishing new beginnings, another quiet transformation was happening: the rise of the pink donut box.
Traditionally, bakeries used white boxes, but they were more expensive. Around this time, manufacturers introduced a cheaper pink-hued cardboard alternative that cost less because the dye and material were more affordable. For families watching every dollar, the choice was simple.
What began as a cost-saving decision soon became a cultural icon for many, including us at Santa Ana Packaging, Inc. Our pink logo commemorates the origin of this story, reminding us of where we started and the community that shaped us.
Pink Boxes Become Tradition
Customers grew fond of the cheerful, vibrant color. Bright, fun, and instantly recognizable, the pink box quickly became synonymous with California donut culture—and, unknowingly, with the Cambodian families who helped shape it.
Over the decades, pink boxes have become part of everyday life:
Filled before sunrise
Carried into breakrooms and classrooms
Photographed, celebrated, gifted, and shared
A small but meaningful symbol of togetherness
For many Cambodian-American families, the pink box became more than packaging—it became a reminder of where they came from and how far they had come. Even as custom packaging options expanded, many shops kept the pink box out of tradition, nostalgia, and pride.
The Box that Built Our Brand
Today, Cambodian-run donut shops remain a beloved part of West Coast culture. They represent more than pastries:
The survival of a community devastated by genocide
The rebuilding of identity after unimaginable loss
A unique and enduring Californian food tradition
Generations of family-owned entrepreneurship
At the heart of this story is the humble pink box—a symbol of thrift, creativity, and the quiet power of immigrant resilience.
At Santa Ana Packaging, Inc., this legacy is personal. The pink box is more than packaging; it represents our roots, our community, and the small family businesses we were built to serve. What began as a practical solution grew into a California icon, and it continues to inspire our commitment to quality, affordability, and partnership.
What started as a cheaper option became a legend—and at Santa Ana Packaging, Inc., it remains a reminder of where we came from and why we do what we do.