Hirzel Canning Company & Farms

Carl R. Hirzel was a brewmaster who switched to growing and canning vegetables during the onset of Prohibition. He traveled from Switzerland to New York with his wife Lena to become brewers in the United States. He later moved near Toledo, Ohio to be closer to his brothers. Carl purchased Hirzel Farms and began growing and selling cabbage in 1920. A plentiful cabbage harvest in 1923 convinced Carl to begin producing Sauerkraut, a process very similar to beer making. He started selling his sauerkraut under the name Star Cross. Star Cross Sauerkraut became very popular among local shop owners that one year later the Hirzel family received requests to grow Tomatoes. In 1924, Hirzel Farms harvested their first tomato crop.[5][3][6]

With Carl R. Hirzel's success of tomatoes and sauerkraut, Hirzel Canning Company became incorporated in 1947 with Karl A. Hirzel, son of Carl R. Hirzel, as president and his wife Rosalie as secretary. Hirzel Canning has stayed close to their roots being headquartered in Northwood, Ohio on the same property where the original Hirzel family home stands.[7] Since their incorporation, Hirzel Canning Company has underwent multiple expansions throughout the years. In 1954, the Pemberville, Ohio plant was purchased and in 1982 the company expanded again to a third plant in Ottawa, Ohio.[7] These expansions have allowed Hirzel Canning Company to produce more produce.

Today, Hirzel Canning Company focuses on their Dei Fratelli Brand Tomatoes company founded in 1980 and their Silver Fleece Sauerkraut company.[8][9] Most of the tomatoes Dei Fratelli uses in their products, are grown in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.[10]

Packaging Capabilities Hirzel Canning Company caters to multiple customers including industrial, institutional, and retail. This variety of customers requires Hirzel Canning Company to package their products in a variety of ways. Today Hirzel Canning Company packages their products in retail cans, foodservice cans, and industrial drums and totes. For many of their larger customers Hirzel Canning Company utilizes reusable transport packaging to reduce costs for customers as well as improve sustainability in industrial packaging.[11]

The Hirzel farming operation was the first step in the process that led to preserving and canning Dei Fratelli Brand Tomatoes and Silver Fleece Brand Sauerkraut. Today, Lou Kozma Jr., a 4th generation Hirzel family member, is the general manager. Hirzel Farms follows a sustainability model that is based on environmental and social responsibilities.[12][13]