About Us

Black Bear was founded in 1975. Our primary goal was to produce the most flavorful, highest quality delicatessen meats in the marketplace, to please even the most discriminating palate. Our old-world recipes and commitment to "quality above all" demanded nothing less than the freshest lean beef, ham, pork turkey breast and chicken breast. We then added only the finest all-natural spices and seasonings gathered from around the world.

Today, at Black Bear, we continue the dedication and commitment in preparing our premium delicatessen meats and artisan cheeses. In fact, all of our standars exceed those set by government guidelines. Our mission is always both perfection and originality. This is how we prepare wholesome, nutritious and uniquely premium meats. And, our master cheese makers create our hand-churned, small batch cheeses with the same commitment to "quality above all."

Black Bear is founded at its present state-of-the-art facility designed for the safe preparation and handling of premium deli meats.  The company's goal is to prepare the highest quality meat delicacies, using only premium cuts of meats and the finest spices in the European tradition.  Since 1975 these facilities have been continually expanded and upgraded to maintain rigid wholesomeness standards.

Black Bear develops and rolls out its Lite Ham during a time of growing concern by health professionals about high levels of salt and fat in American diets. Immediately, consumers favorably accept the traditional goodness and quality of these premium delicacies. Black Bear proves that "Eating Healthy is Delicious Eating".

Because of consumer acceptance, Black Bear introduces more varieties to the Lite line including Lite Beef and Meat Franks.

Black Bear pioneers hand trimmed, minimally processed premium roast beef varieties that are well trimmed of excess fat and contain less salt than others in the industry. The delicious taste and texture of this all natural approach to premium roast beef gains wide consumer appeal and makes Black Bear Roast Beef varieties the Benchmark in the industry.

Black Bear offers its consumers a 100% money back guarantee. This guarantee is made possible by the dedication of the company to preparing the tastiest premium meat delicacies in the industry and the ability to ensure the utmost product safety, purity and wholesomeness.

Black Bear establishes its Dedicated To Your Healthier Lifestyle® program and its Healthier Lifestyle seal.  This program is provided as a guide for consumers after years of dedication to preparing healthier alternatives to traditional deli meats.  The Healthier Lifestyle seal is displayed on our premium delicatessen that meets or exceeds USDA, FDA and health organization guidelines for healthy food and is your assurance that "Healthy Eating can be Tasty Easting."

Black Bear establishes its Puratherm™ Food Safety System which incorporates the first in-plant safety and product testing procedures prior to the establishment of formal government and industry standards. The company also establishes a consistent commitment to making its products scientifically safe through extensive employee training and facility sanitation. The Black Bear Puratherm™ Food Safety System includes the use of independent sanitation and clean-up specialists along with comprehensive food testing throughout its facilities.

Increased consumer demand for Black Bear's minimally processed Turkey Breast and Chicken Breast delicacies becomes so great that this operation is moved to Baltimore with the construction of our state-of-the-art poultry facilities. These new facilities enable efficient, hands-on small batch preparation that incorporates the safest, most modern processing and handling environment for Turkey Breast and Chicken Breast recipes.

Black Bear expands its Puratherm™ Food Safety System to incorporate patented "new technology" purifying equipment that will quickly expose finished products to high thermal temperatures at time of packaging, thereby assuring purity and wholesomeness without changing the taste and texture of Black Bear's premium meat delicacies.

Due to heightened awareness of food allergies, Black Bear adds a gluten-free statement to their labels.