1908
George Harker, a Le Mars farmer, opens a meat market in downtown Le Mars, marking the entry of the Harker family into the meat industry.
1950
Jack Harker, grandson of George Harker, graduates from Bradley University and returns to Le Mars, marking the third generation of the family in the meat industry.
1954
The first route truck is started by Harker’s®, selling fresh beef and pork to schools, hospitals and restaurants within a 50-mile radius of Le Mars. This is the company’s first entry into the foodservice distribution business.
1968
Harker’s® production facilities become USDA inspected, allowing the company to expand outside of Iowa.
1972
A second production facility is built by Harker’s® in Orange City, Iowa.
1982
A third production facility is opened in Sioux Center, Iowa.
1986
The Harker family sells the business to the Federal Company of Memphis, Tennessee. The Federal Company is a food holding company that will later change its name to the Holly Farms Corporation.
1989
Tyson Foods makes a successful bid to buy Holly Farms and Harker’s®.
1990
The Management Team of Harker’s® Distribution completes the management led buyout of the sales and distribution business of Harker’s®. Harker’s® becomes the second largest specialty foodservice distributor in America. (Tyson retains ownership of the three production facilities.)
1995
Harker’s® Distribution, Inc.(HDI) Board of Directors approves an agreement to purchase Tyson Foods Office and plant facility in Le Mars, Iowa.
1998
Harker’s® re-establishes steak production in the Le Mars Plant Facility and launches the Signature of Iowa™ Brand. A second facility is purchased in Minneapolis to add custom cut capabilities.
1999
Harker’s® purchases Lombardi Brothers Meats® in Denver, Colorado and further expands it’s custom cut market niche.
2001
Harker’s® launches a fresh custom cut meat program in the Le Mars plant. Harker’s® adds an inside sales division to offer additional service options for its customers.
2006
The Harker family reacquires the controlling interest in Harker’s® making it the largest privately held center of the plate foodservice distributor in the nation.
Today
HDI operates approximately 100 sales territories in 14 states. Internet order functions are available for convenient order placement.
George Harker, a Le Mars farmer, opens a meat market in downtown Le Mars, marking the entry of the Harker family into the meat industry.
1950
Jack Harker, grandson of George Harker, graduates from Bradley University and returns to Le Mars, marking the third generation of the family in the meat industry.
1954
The first route truck is started by Harker’s®, selling fresh beef and pork to schools, hospitals and restaurants within a 50-mile radius of Le Mars. This is the company’s first entry into the foodservice distribution business.
1968
Harker’s® production facilities become USDA inspected, allowing the company to expand outside of Iowa.
1972
A second production facility is built by Harker’s® in Orange City, Iowa.
1982
A third production facility is opened in Sioux Center, Iowa.
1986
The Harker family sells the business to the Federal Company of Memphis, Tennessee. The Federal Company is a food holding company that will later change its name to the Holly Farms Corporation.
1989
Tyson Foods makes a successful bid to buy Holly Farms and Harker’s®.
1990
The Management Team of Harker’s® Distribution completes the management led buyout of the sales and distribution business of Harker’s®. Harker’s® becomes the second largest specialty foodservice distributor in America. (Tyson retains ownership of the three production facilities.)
1995
Harker’s® Distribution, Inc.(HDI) Board of Directors approves an agreement to purchase Tyson Foods Office and plant facility in Le Mars, Iowa.
1998
Harker’s® re-establishes steak production in the Le Mars Plant Facility and launches the Signature of Iowa™ Brand. A second facility is purchased in Minneapolis to add custom cut capabilities.
1999
Harker’s® purchases Lombardi Brothers Meats® in Denver, Colorado and further expands it’s custom cut market niche.
2001
Harker’s® launches a fresh custom cut meat program in the Le Mars plant. Harker’s® adds an inside sales division to offer additional service options for its customers.
2006
The Harker family reacquires the controlling interest in Harker’s® making it the largest privately held center of the plate foodservice distributor in the nation.
Today
HDI operates approximately 100 sales territories in 14 states. Internet order functions are available for convenient order placement.
