Seneca Foods
Encyclopedia
Seneca Foods Corporation is a leading low-cost food processor and distributor headquartered in Marion, New York, USA
. The company primarily produces canned, frozen, and bottled produce under private label as well as national and regional brands that the company owns or licenses, including Seneca, Libby’s
, Aunt Nellie’s Farm Kitchen, Stokely’s, Read and Diamond A. Under a long-term alliance agreement with General Mills
, the company produces products under the Green Giant
and Le Sueur labels. The company also produces frozen vegetables, fruit and chip products, and steel cans, and runs an air charter business.
, by Cornell University
business student Arthur S. Wolcott. In the 1950s, Seneca contracted with Minute Maid
to co–pack the first frozen grape juice in the nation. Apple processing, specialty syrups, and maraschino cherries were added to the product line. The development of private label, bulk, industrial and co–pack segments also took place during this time. Fruit processing remained the primary focus for the next several decades.
During the 1960s, the company continued to expand with new plants and new products, including the nation's first frozen apple juice concentrate, under the Seneca brand. The corporate name was changed from Seneca Grape Juice Company to Seneca Foods Corporation. During this time frame, the Prosser, Washington plant was opened for the production of applesauce and fruit juices, and the company continued to add brokers and expand distribution throughout the country to grow its branded business. Seneca's first national television advertisements for its frozen concentrate juices took place. Seneca stock began trading in the over-the-counter market, and Vitamin C enriched apple juice was introduced – a first in the industry.
The 1970s was a period of rapid growth and diversification as the company acquired companies in the food distribution, canned vegetable, glass, paint and textile businesses. Through one of these acquisitions, Julius G. Kayser joined Seneca and played a key role in the company's growth until his death in 1988. The corporate name was changed to S.S. Pierce Company, and production of metal cans began.
During the 1980s, the corporate name changed back to Seneca Foods Corporation, and the company consolidated most of its non-food operations and focused on its fruit and vegetable lines. The company rolled out the first natural frozen grape juice and expanded the juice line into white grape, cranberry, and cranberry blends. The juices were advertised nationally featuring Marion Ross
from TV's Happy Days
. The company entered the private label retail and food service vegetable business in the Midwest, and began producing IQF frozen vegetables for the food service and industrial markets.
In the 1990s, further acquisitions and internal growth allowed Seneca to emerge as the world's largest processor of canned vegetables. The company acquired six plants from Pillsbury and entered into an alliance with them to manufacture products under the Green Giant
label. At the end of the decade, the company strengthened its financial base by selling its juice and applesauce operations and raising additional capital with a shareholder rights offering. Sales expanded to global markets, and a profitable apple chip business was acquired. Seneca Flight Operations also became the fixed based operator at the Penn Yan, New York
, Airport, and a hangar complex was constructed.
, and Susan W. Stuart.
Marion, New York
Marion is a town in Wayne County, New York, United States. The population was 4,974 as of the 2000 census. It is named after Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion. It is an interior town near the center of the county, about 20 miles east of Rochester, New York and 50 miles west of Syracuse, New...
. The company primarily produces canned, frozen, and bottled produce under private label as well as national and regional brands that the company owns or licenses, including Seneca, Libby’s
Libby's
Libby's is a U.S.-based food company known for its canned food.The company was founded as Libby, McNeill & Libby in Chicago, Illinois, by Archibald McNeill and the brothers Arthur and Charles Libby. The business began with a canned meat product, beef in brine, or corned beef...
, Aunt Nellie’s Farm Kitchen, Stokely’s, Read and Diamond A. Under a long-term alliance agreement with General Mills
General Mills
General Mills, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 corporation, primarily concerned with food products, which is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The company markets many well-known brands, such as Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Colombo, Totinos, Jeno's, Pillsbury, Green...
, the company produces products under the Green Giant
Green Giant
Green Giant and Le Sueur are brands of frozen and canned vegetables owned by General Mills. The mascot of Green Giant is the Jolly Green Giant....
and Le Sueur labels. The company also produces frozen vegetables, fruit and chip products, and steel cans, and runs an air charter business.
History
The company was founded in 1949 in Dundee, New YorkDundee, New York
Dundee is a village in Yates County, New York, USA. The population was 1,690 at the 2000 census. The name was taken from Dundee, the city in Scotland with a population of 160,000.The Village of Dundee is in the Town of Starkey...
, by Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
business student Arthur S. Wolcott. In the 1950s, Seneca contracted with Minute Maid
Minute Maid
Minute Maid is a product line of beverages, usually associated with lemonade or orange juice, but now extends to soft drinks of many kinds, including Hi-C...
to co–pack the first frozen grape juice in the nation. Apple processing, specialty syrups, and maraschino cherries were added to the product line. The development of private label, bulk, industrial and co–pack segments also took place during this time. Fruit processing remained the primary focus for the next several decades.
During the 1960s, the company continued to expand with new plants and new products, including the nation's first frozen apple juice concentrate, under the Seneca brand. The corporate name was changed from Seneca Grape Juice Company to Seneca Foods Corporation. During this time frame, the Prosser, Washington plant was opened for the production of applesauce and fruit juices, and the company continued to add brokers and expand distribution throughout the country to grow its branded business. Seneca's first national television advertisements for its frozen concentrate juices took place. Seneca stock began trading in the over-the-counter market, and Vitamin C enriched apple juice was introduced – a first in the industry.
The 1970s was a period of rapid growth and diversification as the company acquired companies in the food distribution, canned vegetable, glass, paint and textile businesses. Through one of these acquisitions, Julius G. Kayser joined Seneca and played a key role in the company's growth until his death in 1988. The corporate name was changed to S.S. Pierce Company, and production of metal cans began.
During the 1980s, the corporate name changed back to Seneca Foods Corporation, and the company consolidated most of its non-food operations and focused on its fruit and vegetable lines. The company rolled out the first natural frozen grape juice and expanded the juice line into white grape, cranberry, and cranberry blends. The juices were advertised nationally featuring Marion Ross
Marion Ross
Marion Ross is an American actress best known for her role as Marion Cunningham on the television series Happy Days from 1974 to 1984.-Early life:...
from TV's Happy Days
Happy Days
Happy Days is an American television sitcom that originally aired from January 15, 1974, to September 24, 1984, on ABC. Created by Garry Marshall, the series presents an idealized vision of life in mid-1950s to mid-1960s America....
. The company entered the private label retail and food service vegetable business in the Midwest, and began producing IQF frozen vegetables for the food service and industrial markets.
In the 1990s, further acquisitions and internal growth allowed Seneca to emerge as the world's largest processor of canned vegetables. The company acquired six plants from Pillsbury and entered into an alliance with them to manufacture products under the Green Giant
Green Giant
Green Giant and Le Sueur are brands of frozen and canned vegetables owned by General Mills. The mascot of Green Giant is the Jolly Green Giant....
label. At the end of the decade, the company strengthened its financial base by selling its juice and applesauce operations and raising additional capital with a shareholder rights offering. Sales expanded to global markets, and a profitable apple chip business was acquired. Seneca Flight Operations also became the fixed based operator at the Penn Yan, New York
Penn Yan, New York
Penn Yan is a village in Yates County, New York, USA. The population was 5,219 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Yates County and lies at the north end of the east branch of Keuka Lake, one of the Finger Lakes....
, Airport, and a hangar complex was constructed.
1950s
- Hudson Valley Pure Food Co.
- Hilton Fruit Co–op
- North Wayne Co–op
- Westfield Maid Co–op
1970s
Tapetex- Lehman Bros.
- Castle Hansen
- S.S. Pierce Company and subsidiaries
- Marion Canning
- Fruit Belt Preserving Co.
- Seneca Kraut
- Perfection Foods
1990s
- Treesweet, Orange Plus, and Awake juice brands
- Blue Boy, Aunt Nellie's, and Lohmann vegetable brands
Corporate governance
Current members of the board of directors of Seneca are: Arthur S. Wolcott, Kraig H. Kayser, Arthur H. Baer, Andrew M. Boas, Robert T. Brady, Douglas F. Brush, G. Brymer Humphreys, Thomas PaulsonThomas Paulson
Thomas Paulson is a British figure skater. He is the 2005, 2006–2007 and 2008 British national silver medalist. Thomas has been a member of Team Skate GB, the British national squad, since 2002.-External links:*...
, and Susan W. Stuart.