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The Hoffman Legend
Roy
Hoffman established the family meat wholesaling business in 1923 when
he slaughtered a single calf and sold it in the market. After that day, Roy
realized the demand for a meat supplier in Hagerstown, Maryland and has
seized the opportunity. He proceeded to determine and fill the needs of the
food retailers in Hagerstown. Soon after, Roy's brother, Bruce, joined the
company.
This attitude towards quality carries on to the workers
at Hoffman's. Some of the employees have been working there for decades and
all of them have the same vision towards quality. Every employee takes pride
in putting out a quality product. And they do their best...all the time.
 In
1963, the new technology of mechanical refrigeration had been developed for
commercial use. This allowed major expansions to take place for Hoffman.
Some years later, Roy's sons, Jacob and Robert, became the second generation
to participate in the operation of the firm.
"A Show ham is just another ham.
It doesn't get any more treatment."
 The quality of Hoffman's meats has allowed Don
to carry away over 20 awards in national meat competitions. One time, Don had no hams to
enter into the contest because they has all been promised to customers. He
took a customer's ham off the rack and entered it in the show, winning a
Grand Champion award. "A show ham is just another ham. It doesn't get any
more treatment. I think we have the best raw products in the country," said
Don.
 After
winning these numerous awards, Don spawned their mail ordering business. Don
decided that the packaging used must reflect the quality of the meat itself
and created an attractive package lined with Styrofoam to make it rigid for
mailing. The mail order business is especially heavy around the holidays
although orders come in year-round.
"Don Hoffman maintains the tradition of a
wholes sale business
built on the production and distribution of
quality goods."
 Today, the company is headed by Roy's
grandson, and Robert's son, Donald. Although Donald had no intentions of
joining the business, after working and traveling a lot, he
decided to return to Hagerstown, Maryland and join the family business.
Like his grandfather, Don Hoffman maintains
the tradition of a wholesale business built on the production and
distribution of quality products. "We've been quality oriented since the
inception of the business."
This story was written using information from
Meat Plant Magazine
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