Who We Are

OUR HISTORY

Land O’Frost is a third generation, family-owned business started by Antoon Van Eekeren in 1941 and grown by his son, Paul Van Eekeren, a visionary who looked at the needs of consumers and acted on them. From our beginnings on the south side of Chicago to our current national presence and 1,500 employees, we’ve remained focused on family. That’s been the foundation of our company and our brands. We consider our employees, customers, and partners a part of our Land O’Frost family. It’s our unwavering commitment to everyone we serve that has allowed us to grow over the years.

- David Van Eekeren, President & CEO

OUR HISTORY

1930

Using his life savings of $25, Antoon emigrates to Canada from Netherlands, eventually ending up in Chicago.

OUR HISTORY

1941

Antoon starts frozen food storage facility- bought 12,000 square foot freezer from Armour and Company and
starts renting out freezer space to people who needed cold storage

OUR HISTORY

1952

LOF starts making frozen meat pies and tv dinners, and wafer-sliced meat under the Land O’ Frost name

OUR HISTORY

1958

Land O’ Frost is incorporated

OUR HISTORY

1969

Lansing plant is completed, allowing LOF to process corned beef, pastrami, white and dark turkey meat,chicken, ham and chicken ham

OUR HISTORY

1975

Paul Van Eekeren designs new manufacturing machines, making the process less labor intensive, reducing costs and improving food safety

OUR HISTORY

1976

Searcy, Arkansas Plant opens

OUR HISTORY

1981

LOF Pioneers use of “retort” packaging, a form of soft packaging that Works like a can

OUR HISTORY

1982

Leveraging the “retort” packing innovation, LOF starts to make “meals
ready-to-eat” for US military

OUR HISTORY

1990

LOF launces one pound LOF Premium line, its first “Branded” product

OUR HISTORY

2003

LOF Launches Youth Sports Initiative

OUR HISTORY

2007

LOF Finishes construction on the 190,000 square foot Madisonville plant

OUR HISTORY

2008

LOF celebrates the 50th anniversary of its official incorporation, and growing to over 1,000 employees

OUR HISTORY

2011

Began partnership with JDRF- $1.2M donated to date

OUR HISTORY

2012

LOF acquires Wimmer’s, Ambassador and Fairbury hot dog and sausage brands

OUR HISTORY

2018

2018- LOF purchases Wellshire and Colameco’s, giving LOF a foothold in the natural segment

OUR HISTORY

2022

LOF purchases DaBecca Foods, giving LOF the ability to manufacture all natural spiral hams and bacon

How We Do It

VALUES

How We Do It

At Land O’Frost, we’re a family business that’s been making great tasting lunchmeat for more than 60 years. As a 3rd-generation family-owned company, we consider our consumers, customers, and suppliers a part of our extended family. Together, we’re one team focused on creating new ideas and products, while always striving for excellence. Today, our brands also include Ambassador, Wimmer’s, Fairbury, Bassett’s, and as of recent, Wellshire Farms.

JDRF

PHILANTHROPY

JDRF

In 2011, we launched a multi-year partnership with JDRF, focused on raising much-needed funds for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and creating awareness of their efforts to cure, treat, and prevent T1D. Over the past few years, we’ve rallied behind JDRF through a number of activities and events to help raise funds for the cause, including their annual Walk to Cure Diabetes event.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Youth Sports Initiative

COMMUNITY

Youth Sports Initiative

As a family company, we see great importance in keeping our communities and their families healthy and active. That’s why we started the Land O’Frost Youth Sports Initiative in 2003, which provides funds to help cover costs associated with organizing and operating youth sports organizations.

LEARN MORE