Baldor Specialty Foods, a food distributor in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, has acquired premium cut meat company Golden Packing. As part of the sale, Baldor will transition the Hunts Point Cooperative Market business to a new brand label, Golden Meat Co.
This acquisition blends Baldor’s sourcing and logistical capabilities with Golden Packing’s expertise in meat processing and butchery, specifically in the realm of premium cut meats.
“Our customers have long relied on Baldor for the finest fresh ingredients, and incorporating expert meat processing, particularly for premium cut meats, has been a natural progression of our protein strategy,” said TJ Murphy, owner and CEO of Baldor Specialty Foods.
“The synergy between Baldor’s sourcing and delivery strengths and Golden’s cutting and dry-aging artistry will allow us to cultivate a best-in-class cut shop that directly addresses our customers’ growing needs for premium cut meats, building upon the legacy Golden has already established in this specialized area.”
To highlight its expanding protein division, with an emphasis on premium cut meats, Baldor has expanded its leadership positions:
- Mark Pastore, bringing more than three decades of experience shaping meat programs for foodservice and retail, including his leadership at Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, joins as VP of business development, tasked with driving protein sales growth and amplifying Golden Meat Co.’s presence across the East Coast as a provider of premium cut meats.
- Kevin Lindgren, previously Baldor’s director of protein merchandising, will lead Golden Meat Co. as director, focusing on operations and integration of their premium cut meats production.
- Further augmenting the team are John Winters DiMarco as protein business development manager and Daniel Nguyen as senior protein supply planner.
Golden Packing’s origins trace back to the Meatpacking District in Manhattan in the 1920s. The business experienced a resurgence in 2020 under the guidance of David Bernstein, the great-grandson of the original founder, and his co-founder Jerry Zwernemann, who together possess more than 60 years of collective experience in the meat industry, with a reputation for their premium cut meats. Today, Golden Packing serves more than 150 customers.
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To ensuring a smooth transition, the founders of Golden Packing, along with its team of 35 butchers and drivers, will remain integral to the operation, contributing their knowledge to the growth of Baldor’s premium cut meats offerings.
Sales for Golden Meat Co.’s premium cut meats will be managed through Baldor’s current platforms, with deliveries integrated into the company’s established logistics network.
“Baldor’s investment in Golden Packing was directly inspired by our ongoing dialogue with customers, who frequently cited challenges related to labor constraints and the complexities of sourcing consistently superior center-of-plate ingredients, particularly premium cut meats,” said Benjamin Walker, chief revenue officer.
“Our core mission is to simplify our customers’ operations. This means offering a comprehensive range of essential ingredients – from exceptional produce and dairy to specialty grocery items and now, the finest premium cut meats available, sourced from our trusted partners like DemKota, Joyce Farms and Niman Ranch – all delivered with the efficiency of a single order. This represents a significant enhancement for both Baldor and our valued customers, and we anticipate premium cut meats becoming an integral part of their regular orders.”
Golden Meat Co.’s product line will feature a variety of prepared premium cut meats, including dry-aged and fresh selections, spanning prime and high-choice grades, all custom-cut and portioned to meet the requirements of each customer.
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