Lakeside Foods history

The resulting increase in processing capacity allowed the company to expand its farming capacity to 75 acres by 1889.

In 1894, with assistance from Doctor H. L. Russell of the College of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin, Landreth began to develop techniques for the systematic control of timing and temperature in order to can peas at their peak of flavor and to reduce spoilage.

After Landreth’s unexpected death in 1899, The Albert Landreth Company underwent numerous changes.

In 1906, Wisconsin Pea Canners acquired The Albert Landreth Company and combined the assets with those of the E. J. Vaudreuil Canning Company, of Two Rivers.

Also, the supply of peas increased when a drought in 1909 prompted experimentation with a second planting of peas late in the season.

In August 1922, the transactions were finalized, along with the purchase of Wisconsin Pea Canners for a consideration of $50,000, and Lakeside Packing Company, the new name, emerged with Wedertz as president.

These plants were located in larger farming communities, which ensured access to adequate crops, even during poor growing seasons, such as the 1933 drought.

Leadership change occurred once again with the death of company President Louis Wedertz, who died on vacation in the spring of 1936.

The Plainview plant was expanded, and in 1949 produced one-third of the company’s total output.

Increased farming production required more canning capacity, and the company opened a plant in Pittsville, Wisconsin, in 1954.

In 1972 Lakeside invested $2 million at the Plainview facilities.

The warehouse space at Manitowoc’s Calumet facility was enlarged by 50,000 feet, and in 1983 frozen packaging equipment arrived at the Plainview plant.

With J. Douglas Quick as president, Lakeside’s product expansion continued with the 1988 acquisition of the canned fruit and vegetable division from Krier Foods of Belgium, Wisconsin.

Lakeside acquired a frozen pea and corn processing plant in Brooten, Minnesota, in 1998; the facility was only two years old.

Peak Foods, as the venture was named, operated a plant in Troy, Ohio, and began distribution to retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice distributors in early 2000.

In 2003 Lakeside acquired from Chiquita Processed Foods three production facilities located in Eden and New Richmond, Wisconsin, and Owatonna, Minnesota, and a distribution center located in Poynette, Wisconsin.

By 2006, Lakeside Foods had become one of the largest private-label food processors in the United States.