Silver Spring Foods
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food processing |
| Founded | 1929 |
| Founder | Ellis Huntsinger |
| Headquarters | Eau Claire , United States |
Key people | Nancy Bartusch (current management) |
| Products | Horseradish, sauces, mustards, condiments |
Number of employees | 250+ (2011) |
Silver Spring Foods, Inc., established in 1929 by Ellis Huntsinger, stands as the leading global cultivator and manufacturer of horseradish. Based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the enterprise also produces a variety of sauces and mustards. Originally incorporated in 1949 under the name Silver Spring Gardens, the company has significantly broadened both its product range and international presence over time.
History
Horseradish farming in Eau Claire was initiated by Ellis Huntsinger in 1929, with initial production carried out manually. By 1937, Huntsinger expanded operations industrially after purchasing Becky Gardens and rebranding it as "Silver Spring Gardens." In 1941, he introduced a novel process by incorporating dairy cream to improve both flavor and shelf stability, enabling distribution across the United States. The firm was formally incorporated around 1950 by Ellis alongside his son Eugene and son-in-law Ed Bartusch.
Still under family ownership, Silver Spring Foods is presently managed by Nancy Bartusch, granddaughter of the founder, together with her two sons.
Following the tragic 1972 plane accident that claimed president Edwin Bartusch and family members, Nancy Bartusch assumed leadership with assistance from Bill Nelson Sr., a former Kraft Foods executive. Later, his son Bill Nelson Jr. served as company head for a quarter-century. Beginning in 1999, Silver Spring embarked on expansion through acquisitions, including Philadelphia-based Bookbinder's, Inc.
Around the turn of the millennium, the company expanded its offerings to include specialty horseradish-infused mustards.
A significant client departure in 2003 resulted in a 30% revenue decline; however, by 2006 Silver Spring had recovered market share and completed construction of a new automated facility spanning 100,000 square feet—doubling its manufacturing capacity. To capitalize on this growth, it acquired jam and sauce brands such as Waldorf, Nuevo Sol, and Bella Migliore in 2005, followed by Thor-Shackel Horseradish Co. in 2006.
Additional acquisitions included Kelchner's Horseradish Products based in Dublin, Pennsylvania in 2009; production was consolidated at Eau Claire by 2010 while maintaining a shipping hub in Pennsylvania. By 2011, Kelchner’s distribution extended into the Carolinas and Northeastern U.S. The company further expanded its portfolio by acquiring Atlantic Brand seafood condiments and added Brede Foods in 2020—currently managing five primary brands—thereby reinforcing its position within the condiment sector.
Awards
Silver Spring Foods has received numerous honors at mustard competitions, notably securing top recognition for its Beer ’n Brat Mustard. At the 2010 Napa Valley Mustard Festival’s World-Wide Mustard Competition, the firm earned the Grand Champion award for its Deli Style Mustard. Additional accolades included bronze medals for Picante Pepper Mustard (Pepper Hot category) and Beer ’n Brat Horseradish Mustard (Horseradish/Wasabi category), along with a silver medal for Organic Deli Mustard.
The company consistently achieves high rankings at the annual World-Wide Mustard Competition hosted by America's National Mustard Museum. In 2021, Silver Spring’s Beer'n Brat Mustard received silver in the Horseradish/Wasabi division, while Chipotle Mustard was awarded bronze in the Pepper Hot Mild-Medium category.
Operations
Silver Spring Foods, Inc. stands as the leading global manufacturer and processor of horseradish products, generating revenues of $50 million in 2011 and employing more than 250 staff members.
The company’s production facility handles the creation of upwards of 100 million pounds of condiments each year. It incorporates both hot and cold processing techniques and offers products certified as Kosher, Certified Organic, Non-GMO verified, and gluten-free. Additionally, Silver Spring Foods has earned an AA rating through the British Retail Consortium's voluntary audit program.
Operating under the umbrella of Huntsinger Companies, Silver Spring Foods is affiliated with several subsidiaries, including Huntsinger Farms, Bookbinder's Food Products, Atlantic Seafood Products, Kelchner Food Products, and Brede Foods.