Since 1932, we’ve been partnering with local farmers and producers in our region. You can find regionally produced products in departments across our stores, including our baby food aisle, thanks to our Upstate New York friends at Beech-Nut.

It all started 120 years ago in downtown Canajoharie, NY. World-famous baby food company Beech-Nut began as the Imperial Packing Company in 1881. Founded by Bartlett Arkell, brothers Raymond and Walter Lipe, and other brothers John and David Zieley. They started off smoking hams, but as time went on added other products, such as chewing gum, coffee, and of course, baby food. By 1900, sales climbed up to $200,000 and the company was officially incorporated as the Beech-Nut Packing Company.

During its heyday, Beech-Nut employed between 1,800 to 2,200 people, and many retirees have remained loyal to the company. With its success, Beech-Nut brought a wonderful buzz to the upstate New York village. The daily downtown lunch scene was vibrant, sidewalks and local eateries were full of life. The plant was truly the heartbeat of Canajoharie, and the company’s baby food was the main reason for such prosperity.

The manufacturing of baby food sent a sweet, fruity scent flowing through the community, as Beech-Nut continued to work on its formulas. In 1977, a line of baby food was introduced with no added salt. Twenty years later it removed refined sugar, and in 2002 introduced a line with essential fatty acids.

After a 119-year tenure in Canajoharie, Beech-Nut moved its headquarters to Montgomery County’s Town of Florida Business Park, where it remains today. Beech-Nut continues to be a consistent home.grown. source of high-quality baby food right in our own neighborhood.

Beech-Nut is just another example of our pride in local products and providing the best to our customers. Thanks to local famers and producers right in our region, we can continue to meet our home.grown. goals.