1909
Immigrating to America from Stuttgart, Germany, Christian Hofmann and his family open a butcher shop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that quickly flourishes. Joining forces with the Mall family, friends from Stuttgart, they incorporate the North Side Packing Company.

1927
The North Side Packing Company enjoys a period of growth and prosperity securing the company's well-known “Victory Brand” trademark. Second-generation family members take up the mantle of running the company through the difficult years of the Depression.

1945
The company thrives through the war years producing millions of pounds of sausage products. Sharp business decisions keep North Side Packing in the black throughout the 40's, allowing for significant expansion and relationships with nationally recognized food companies.

1949
The retail food industry experiences a revolution: the supermarket. In step with the times, North Side Packing Company moves away from business with the “mom and pop” grocers who have been all but eliminated in the marketplace.

1952
Advertising and factory expansion become priorities as competition in the meat processing industry intensifies. Associations with the supermarket chains and a specialized focused product line help the company grow throughout the decade.

1970
North Side Foods patents a groundbreaking cooking process that enables them to deliver fully-cooked, fully browned, 100% pork sausage product. This pioneering innovation leads to increased product demand in the restaurant industry, as well as the creation of the Ember Farms brand name.

1990
Around the world, fast-service restaurant customers make Ember Farms their number one sausage choice every morning. With new facilities built in Cumming, Georgia and Arnold, Pennsylvania, North Side Foods dramatically increases its production capabilities.

2000
Ember Farms takes food safety and "value-added" to a new dimension. Facility improvements include ECR rooms and complete separation of raw and ready-to-eat processing areas. Plant expansion projects completed in 2006 increase through-put and quality assurance programs.