OUR ROOTS ...
Balford Farms is a century old wholesale foods distributor specializing in complete lines of milk, cream, ice cream mixes, drinks, cheeses and gourmet foods. We are the last family owned dairy operation in the Philadelphia area, but no longer fully family owned, as four years ago the company installed an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), giving the pride of ownership to all non-union employees. We are indeed celebrating over 100 years in business and our secret to longevity isn't a secret; just hard work, smart business moves and service with a smile.
Originally founded in 1891 by Frank B. Baldwin, as an after school endeavor, young Frank's horse and wagon trade developed faster than a boy could manage, so within a short time his father assumed the day to day operations of building a business. Baldwin Dairies merged with Frankford Dairies in 1965, becoming Baldwin Frankford Dairies. In 1972, the grandsons of the founder, brothers George Baldwin, Sr. and John Baldwin changed the name to an easier said contraction, Balford Farms.
In order to accommodate growing volume and continued diversification, the Company purchased a 70,000 square foot warehouse and office building in Bensalem, Bucks County, during 1980. Haines Dairy of New Jersey was added in 1981 and firmly established Balford as a dairy products distribution factor in that state, as well.
Acquisitions continued throughout the 1980's and early l990's to include Fount Whip Distribution Company, a distributor of sterile dairy products; Trymor Foods, a gourmet food supplier; Andorra Farms, soft serve mix; K&A Bakery Supply; Paul Andre Specialty Foods and Jericho Valley Egg Farm. The Wood Company's Chef Aide Division secured a prominent presence in the Lehigh Valley.
Recent years have witnessed increased intensity in Specialty Foods, dairy distribution efforts, and services for third parties. Services include operating a distribution facility for independent dealers and a major supply contract with the Philadelphia Board of Education.
During mid 1996, the company experienced phenomenal growth through a merger with Quality/Breuninger's Dairy and subsequent purchase agreement of Waddington Dairy. Forming an alliance with two of the oldest operating dairy icons from Philadelphia, Baldwin and Breuninger's Dairies, and the incorporation of distinct management from three food distributors, we have tripled our ability to distribute, react and serve our combined base of customers.
In March of 1998, distribution was extended to Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC to a select group of chain accounts.
January 17, 2004 was a most exciting date when we moved our main distribution center and corporate offices to Burlington, New Jersey. A multi-million dollar state-of-the-art facility, custom built on 25 acres of land (13 usable) and surrounded by trees with plenty of space to expand as our business grows.
The Company is presently engaged in the following business:
- The distribution of dairy related and specialty food products to retail food stores, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, colleges, and institutional food service firms in the greater Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas of Pennsylvania, central and southern New Jersey along with portions of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC.
- Complete fleet service; truck, tractor, trailer, and refrigeration facility.
- The brokerage of food ingredients, chemicals and starches.
- Proprietary data processing facility utilizing both mainframe and PC computers.
The Company presently operates from the following locations:
- An office and warehouse facilities located in Burlington, NJ (42,000 square feet).
- An office and warehouse facility located in Salem, NJ (8,500 square feet).
- A warehouse facility located in Allentown, PA (17,240 square feet) leased from a third party.
Our Heritage Page details where our Roots were planted.
Or visit the Fleet Evolution Page for a mini history of vehicles.