Perdue Farms

The story of Perdue Farms began in 1920, not in a sprawling corporate office, but in the backyard of Arthur Perdue and his wife, Pearl. What started as a humble venture focused on selling table eggs from a small flock of chickens in Salisbury, Maryland, laid the foundation for a company that would span generations and become a household name in American agriculture. Recognizing an opportunity for growth, Arthur Perdue shifted the company's focus in 1925, building their first hatchery and beginning to sell layer chicks to local farmers. This pivotal decision marked the early stages of Perdue's commitment to quality and its journey towards vertical integration.

The company's trajectory took a significant turn when Frank Perdue, Arthur's son, joined the family business in 1939. His leadership, beginning in the 1950s when he took the helm, ushered in an era of substantial growth and strategic development. Under Frank's guidance, A.W. Perdue & Son, as it was then incorporated, began contracting with local farmers to raise their birds, a model that would become a cornerstone of their operations. The 1960s saw further expansion with the company venturing into the grain and oilseed business, constructing storage facilities and Maryland's first soybean processing plant. A landmark moment arrived in 1968 when Perdue opened its first poultry processing plant in Salisbury. This move was transformative, allowing Perdue Farms to control every step of the production process, from egg and feed to the final product in the market. This vertical integration not only enhanced quality control but also solidified their ability to differentiate their offerings in a competitive landscape. The commitment to quality and innovation continued through the decades, with Jim Perdue, Frank's son, becoming Chairman in 1991, representing the third generation of family leadership. Today, Perdue Farms continues to evolve, embracing sustainable practices, animal welfare initiatives, and meeting the changing demands of consumers, all while remaining a family-owned enterprise dedicated to its founding principles of quality and trust.