ORIGINALLY FOUNDED IN 1895 BY JOHN C. CLEMENS, THE CLEMENS FOOD GROUP HAS A LONG RICH HERITAGE.
To this day, Clemens Food Group remains steadfastly dedicated to continuing previous generations’ commitment by operating as good stewards of the community and the environment, offering quality innovative products and services, and working with our business partners, customers, employees, and family members with the highest degree of integrity and ethics.
1890-1900
John C. Clemens takes his wagon from his farm in Mainland to market in Philadelphia. J. M. Funk started a pork processing business where Hatfield® currently stands. On May 12, 1900, John C. Clemens marries Susie Stauffer of Lower Salford.
1901-1910
At a public auction in late September, John C. Clemens with his wife Susie, 5 months pregnant with their third child, purchases the James Markley’s farm for $4,000. This farm would be the beginning of the John C. Clemens family business.
1911-1920
John C. began delivering to Abbots and Hansell Dairies, our first distributors, twice a week.
1921-1930
John S. and Abe join their father’s business and take routes to Philadelphia and Allentown.
1931-1940
John S. and Abe Clemens purchased Pleasant Valley Packing.
1947
The company marks $1 million in sales, having produced two million pounds of product.
1941-1950
One August evening, a fire broke out at Pleasant Valley Packing and burned it to the ground. The four Clemens brothers purchased the Funk Farm and expanded the business to where we are today. Clemens gave their employees an increase in benefits including a Profit Sharing Plan.
1961
The company’s first state-of-the-art water treatment system is completed, marking a commitment to safety and sustainability.
1966
The company employed 110 team members, reached $6 million in sales producing 15 million lbs. of product. Federal USDA inspection policies replace state inspection, improving food safety and quality across the country.
1976
The company reaches $41 million in sales, produced 45 million lbs. of product, processing 1,200 hogs each day.
1987
The company taps Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned expert in animal husbandry, to design harvest pens that meet the highest standards for animal welfare.
1991-1995
Clemens celebrates its 100th Anniversary. Hatfield® launches its new ham steak line, which provides a traditional item in a modern way.
2001
The company began looking into diversification and utilization of real estate and formed a new real estate development entity, CFC Properties. In 2006, CFC Properties would become Clemens Development.
2002
CFC Logistics, a new logistics entity, was formed to handle cold storage and transportation needs.
2003
Country View Family Farms, a hog production entity, was officially created through the acquisition of several hog management companies.
2006
PV Transport, a new transportation entity, was created to merge livestock drivers, delivery drivers, CFC Logistic drivers, truck service center personnel, truck washers, and garage and administrative personnel into one company.
2014
Clemens Food Group launches Farm Promise ® —a new line of all-natural, No Antibiotics Ever pork.
2017
The company opens a second processing facility in Coldwater, Mich. With the capacity to process 10,000 hogs a day, the 600,000-square-foot plant creates over 830 local jobs.
2022
Company expands with the opening of Hatfield North – a Smoked Meat facility featuring best-in-class quality and food safety systems. The 307,000 square-foot plant allows for 80 million lbs annually of smoked meats, 25 million lbs annually of cooked sausage and 18 million lbs annually of food service layout bacon.
2024
Clemens Food Group continues to grow by acquiring Kunzler & Company, Inc. Adding nearly 500 team members and two additional locations, in Lancaster and Tyrone, PA, this acquisition adds a popular smoked meats brand to our expanded product portfolio.
