The savory story of H.J. Heinz Company

Few food companies have had a more lasting impact on American eating and buying habits than Pittsburgh’s own H.J. Heinz Company. By developing quality products and marketing them in innovative and creative ways, the company grew from a small local food purveyor into one of the most recognized brands in the world.

Born in Pittsburgh in 1844 to German immigrant parents, Henry John Heinz began selling produce from his mother’s garden to local grocers as a boy. By age 25, in partnership with his friend and neighbor Clarence Noble, he founded the Heinz & Noble Company in Sharpsburg and delivered to grocers his horseradish – and later pickles, sauerkraut, and vinegar. Following several ups and downs in the early years of the business, including bankruptcy in 1875, Heinz rebuilt the company and by the time of his death in 1919 had created a company with a global presence.

When he started the company, Heinz had rightly sensed that there was a growing market for prepared foods. By the middle of the 19th century, the country had undergone intense urbanization and industrialization, which only accelerated after the Civil War. Railroads grew to span the country, and the advent of refrigerated freight cars meant food could be shipped great distances. While most Americans had grown their own food or purchased it locally, those moving to cities became dependent on produce and canned goods transported to urban areas. Heinz targeted urban consumers by providing condiments such as horseradish and relishes that added flavor to bland dishes and variety to bland diets…

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