| Name | Title | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|
Jim Schorno |
Chief Technology Officer | Profile |
For us, farming isn’t a job. For three generations, it’s been our passion. Though our farming roots stretch far back into the past, our eyes are fixed on the future.
In 1960, a small meat processing operation named Quaker Maid Meats was founded. Since then, this family-owned company has grown to over 100 workers in three production plants. Originally, wafer-thin-sliced beef filets (muscle steaks) were the company’s mainstay. Soon Quaker Maid added breaded veal and beef patties, primarily for the institutional and restaurant markets and began manufacturing a variety of other portion-controlled meat products. In 1968, the company acquired a parcel of land on Carroll Street in Reading, PA, where its main plant is still located. Growth continued with ""Buttered Beef Steaks"" and ""Cubed Beef Steaks,"" along with a solid muscle sandwich steak, hamburger patties and veal steaks. In the early 1970’s, rising beef prices created the need to develop a chopped and formed sandwich steak. This product became the company's largest mainstay growth item and allowed it to compete directly with national brand, Steak-umm®. Because of the sandwich steak's success, the first expansion of the Carroll Street plant also took place during this time. In late 1979, Quaker Maid formulated its version of the fully cooked Italian style meatball (later named Mama Lucia Italian Style Meatballs), adding another item to help customers fill out their orders. The company also designed a continuous meatball-forming, freezing operation that revolutionized the manufacturing process. The meatballs helped expand Quaker Maid’s market share on the Eastern seaboard and into the Chicago market. In 1985, the company purchased another production facility to accommodate the meatball growth. Within two years, additional production capacity was required to support the entire product line. In 1987 the company purchased additional land in Reading in preparation for a new facility. In 1990 ground was broken for a new 4,000-square-foot office building, additional 15,000 square feet of processing area, and 10,000 square feet of freezer and tempering room. In 2005 a third plant was built to again increase capacity, bringing Quaker Maid's total production facility size to over 110,000 square feet. Quaker Maid's product line is continuously updated and currently includes all-beef sandwich steaks and fully cooked meatballs that are quick and easy to prepare, nutritious, and packaged under a variety of brand labels. Distribution spans all the major supermarkets and many large food service establishments throughout the United States and Bermuda. Quaker Maid continually implements the newest technologies available to produce the highest quality products and enhance the plants’ safety and sanitary environment. Our quality assurance department has been certified by the United States Department of Agriculture to participate in their TQC (Total Quality Control) program. Although we are constantly monitored by the USDA, this certification shifts the major responsibility from federal meat inspectors to our own quality assurance staff. Today, Quaker Maid Meats, Inc. remains a family-operated business with an unswerving dedication to quality, value and service. Our goal remains simple: to provide superior portion-controlled frozen meat products, manufactured with the best natural ingredients available, delivered to our customers at a fair and reasonable price.
The Zurich-based Barry Callebaut Group is the world`s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products – from sourcing and processing cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolates, including chocolate fillings, decorations and compounds. With more than 66 production facilities across the globe, of which 27 are located across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 14 in the Americas, 10 in Asia-Pacific, and 15 as part of our Global Cocoa business, the Group employs a diverse and dedicated global workforce of more than 13,000 people. The Barry Callebaut Group serves the entire food industry, from industrial food manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate, such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants or caterers. The global brands catering to the specific needs of these Gourmet customers are Callebaut® and Cacao Barry®, Carma® and the decorations specialist Mona Lisa®. In our 26 CHOCOLATE ACADEMY™ centers, Barry Callebaut offers teaching and training for professionals of all levels aiming to improve their chocolate skills or learn new techniques, trends and recipes. The Barry Callebaut Group is committed to making sustainable chocolate the norm to help ensure future supplies of cocoa and improve farmer livelihoods.
The Specialty Food Association is a not-for-profit business trade association established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. The Specialty Food Association is an international organization composed of domestic and foreign manufacturers, importers, distributors, brokers, retailers, restaurateurs, caterers and others in the specialty foods business. The association is composed of 3,000+ independent & innovative businesses committed to bringing great foods to market throughout the U.S. and overseas. To foster a thriving specialty food marketplace. To be globally recognized as the innovative hub of the food and beverage industry.
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE: MKC) is a global leader in flavor and one of the most respected and familiar names in the industry. In business for over 130 years, McCormick manufactures, markets, and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to the entire food industry—retail outlets, food manufacturers, and foodservice businesses. McCormick creates flavors for a wide range of applications, such as beverages, snacks, dairy, bakery/confectionary, savory, performance nutrition, and health. The McCormick name represents a trusted source of flavor in millions of kitchens around the globe—in homes and in restaurants. Partnerships with farmers and suppliers around the world allow us to provide great-tasting, quality spices with year-over-year consistency that you can trust. Our herbs and spices come from 80 different countries, while our brands reach consumers in more than 170 countries and territories. Our passion for quality is matched only by our commitment to an innovative and energetic company culture. At McCormick, we believe in respect, recognition, inclusion, and collaboration, based on the highest ethical values for our employees. McCormick is a team of approximately 14,000 employees located around the world—and we`re growing. If you have a passion for flavor—and you`re ready to take a journey—come have a seat at our table.