Silver Spring Foods

Silver Spring Foods is a family-owned condiment manufacturer headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The company traces its origins to 1929, when Ellis Huntsinger began growing horseradish and other crops in the Eau Claire area. It developed from a small agricultural and food-preparation operation into a large-scale producer specializing in horseradish, prepared horseradish, mustard, sauces, jams, and seafood condiments. The business was initially associated with Silver Spring Gardens, a name linked to a clear-water spring on the Huntsinger property. After acquiring Becky Gardens in 1937, Huntsinger expanded and commercialized the farming and horseradish operation. A significant product-development milestone came in 1941, when he found that adding dairy cream improved the flavor, heat, and shelf life of prepared horseradish. This helped the company extend distribution beyond Wisconsin into markets across the United States. Silver Spring Gardens was incorporated around 1950 by Ellis Huntsinger, his son Eugene Huntsinger, and son-in-law Ed Bartusch. The company has remained family-owned throughout its history. A major succession crisis occurred in 1972, when president Edwin Bartusch and his wife, Betty, died in a plane crash. Their younger daughter and her husband also died in the accident, leaving their 22-year-old daughter Nancy Bartusch to manage the company. She sought operational assistance from family friend Bill Nelson Sr., who left Kraft Foods to help run the business. Nelson's son, Bill Nelson Jr., later succeeded him and led the company for approximately 25 years. Silver Spring expanded beyond its traditional horseradish base during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. The company acquired Bookbinder's, a Philadelphia-based food business, in 1999. Around 2000, it began producing specialty mustards that used horseradish as an important ingredient. Following the loss of a major customer in 2003, which reportedly represented approximately 30 percent of the business, the company rebuilt its market position and invested in manufacturing capacity. It completed a highly automated 100,000-square-foot facility in 2006, doubling production capacity. Before and during this expansion, it acquired the Waldorf, Nuevo Sol, and Bella Migliore brands of jams and sauces in 2005 and Thor-Shackel Horseradish Company, including Thor's Hot Horseradish and related brands, in 2006. The acquisition strategy continued with Kelchner's Horseradish Products of Dublin, Pennsylvania, in 2009. In 2010, Kelchner's production was transferred to Eau Claire, while its Pennsylvania headquarters and shipping operation were retained. Distribution of Kelchner's products was subsequently expanded into additional eastern markets. The broader Huntsinger Companies portfolio has also included Atlantic Seafood Products and Brede Foods, with Brede described as a later addition to the company's group of food brands. Silver Spring Foods presents itself primarily as a specialist in horseradish and condiment manufacturing rather than as a diversified consumer-goods conglomerate. Its product range includes prepared horseradish, horseradish-based mustards, deli and specialty mustards, sauces, jams, seafood condiments, and products made for organic, kosher, gluten-free, and Non-GMO Project Verified requirements. The company has also received recognition in mustard competitions, including awards for Deli Style Mustard, Picante Pepper Mustard, Beer 'n Brat Horseradish Mustard, Organic Deli Mustard, Beer 'n Brat Mustard, and Chipotle Mustard. According to the supplied reference material, the business reported approximately $50 million in revenue in 2011, employed more than 250 people, and produced more than 100 million pounds of condiments annually. These figures are historical and should not be treated as current performance indicators. Silver Spring Foods remains an active, privately held American food manufacturer with a business model built on family ownership, agricultural sourcing, branded condiments, contract-capable processing, and acquisitions of complementary specialty-food businesses.

Silver Spring Foods began in 1929 when Ellis Huntsinger cultivated horseradish and other crops in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In its early years, the business prepared and bottled horseradish by hand. Huntsinger expanded the operation in 1937 after purchasing Becky Gardens and renaming the enterprise Silver Spring Gardens, a name inspired by a clear-water spring on the property. The operation became increasingly industrialized and commercialized during this period. In 1941, Huntsinger discovered that dairy cream could improve the flavor, heat, and longevity of prepared horseradish. This product insight helped the company sell beyond its local market and develop distribution throughout the United States. Around 1950, Silver Spring Gardens was incorporated by Ellis Huntsinger, his son Eugene, and son-in-law Ed Bartusch. The enterprise remained family-owned. The company experienced a dramatic leadership transition in 1972. President Edwin Bartusch and his wife, Betty, died in a plane crash, as did their younger daughter Barbara and her husband. Nancy Bartusch, the couple's 22-year-old granddaughter, was left to run the company. She received management support from Bill Nelson Sr., a family friend who left Kraft Foods to join the business. Nelson's son, Bill Nelson Jr., later took over and led the company for about 25 years. Silver Spring's modern expansion began with the acquisition of Bookbinder's, Inc., in 1999. Around 2000, it added specialty mustards in which horseradish served as a central flavor component. In 2003, the loss of a major customer reportedly removed roughly 30 percent of the company's business. The company recovered sufficient market share by 2006 to complete a new, highly automated, 100,000-square-foot plant that doubled production capacity. Portfolio expansion accompanied the facility investment. In October 2005, Silver Spring acquired the Waldorf, Nuevo Sol, and Bella Migliore brands of jams and sauces. In January 2006, it purchased Thor-Shackel Horseradish Company, adding Thor's Hot Horseradish and related products. In 2009, it acquired Kelchner's Horseradish Products in Dublin, Pennsylvania. Kelchner's production moved to Eau Claire in 2010, while the Pennsylvania headquarters and a shipping function were retained. The company expanded Kelchner's distribution into additional eastern states in 2011. The wider Huntsinger Companies group has included Huntsinger Farms, Silver Spring Foods, Bookbinder's Food Products, Atlantic Seafood Products, Kelchner Food Products, and Brede Foods. The company has described itself as the world's largest grower, processor, and producer of horseradish products. Its capabilities include hot and cold processing and filling, as well as production of kosher, certified organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and gluten-free condiments. Silver Spring has received awards in national and international mustard competitions. Recognized products have included Deli Style Mustard, Picante Pepper Mustard, Beer 'n Brat Horseradish Mustard, Organic Deli Mustard, Beer 'n Brat Mustard, and Chipotle Mustard. The business remains active and privately held, with ownership associated with Nancy Bartusch and her two sons.

• 2021

  Mustards receive World-Wide Mustard Competition medals

  [1]Silver Spring Foodsen.wikipedia.org

  Beer 'n Brat Mustard receives silver and Chipotle Mustard receives bronze in their respective competition categories.

• 2010

  Kelchner's production is consolidated in Wisconsin

  [1]Silver Spring Foodsen.wikipedia.org

  Manufacturing moves to Eau Claire while Kelchner's Pennsylvania headquarters and shipping operation remain in place.

• 2009

  Kelchner's is acquired

  [1]Silver Spring Foodsen.wikipedia.org

  Silver Spring acquires Kelchner's Horseradish Products in Pennsylvania.

• 2006

  Automated Eau Claire plant is completed

  [1]Silver Spring Foodsen.wikipedia.org

  A new 100,000-square-foot facility doubles reported production capacity.

• 1999

  Bookbinder's is acquired

  [1]Silver Spring Foodsen.wikipedia.org

  The company begins a broader specialty-food acquisition strategy by purchasing Bookbinder's, Inc.

• 1972

  Nancy Bartusch takes responsibility for the company

  [1]Silver Spring Foodsen.wikipedia.org

  Following a fatal plane crash involving members of the Bartusch family, 22-year-old Nancy Bartusch assumes responsibility for the business with support from Bill Nelson Sr.

• 1950

  The company is incorporated

  [1]Silver Spring Foodsen.wikipedia.org

  Silver Spring Gardens is incorporated by Ellis Huntsinger, Eugene Huntsinger, and Ed Bartusch.

• 1941

  Cream-enhanced prepared horseradish is developed

  [1]Silver Spring Foodsen.wikipedia.org

  Huntsinger discovers that dairy cream improves the product's flavor, heat, and keeping qualities, supporting broader distribution.

• 1937

  Silver Spring Gardens is established

  [1]Silver Spring Foodsen.wikipedia.org

  After acquiring Becky Gardens, Huntsinger industrializes the farming operation and adopts the Silver Spring Gardens name.

• 1929

  Ellis Huntsinger begins horseradish farming

  [1]Silver Spring Foodsen.wikipedia.org

  Ellis Huntsinger starts growing horseradish and other crops in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, establishing the business that later becomes Silver Spring Foods.

A family-owned specialist in horseradish and specialty condiments, combining agricultural production, branded food products, and large-scale processing capabilities. The brand emphasizes flavor intensity, mustard and horseradish expertise, and the ability to produce kosher, organic, gluten-free, and Non-GMO Project Verified products.

• Horseradish condiment · 1929

  Prepared Horseradish

  Prepared horseradish is the company's foundational product category. Silver Spring's heritage is tied to growing, processing, and bottling horseradish, with the company developing products for retail, foodservice, and broader condiment markets. Its historical product development included the use of dairy cream to improve flavor, heat, and product longevity.

• Mustard · 2000

  Specialty Mustards

  Silver Spring's mustard range extends its horseradish expertise into deli, beer-and-brat, pepper, chipotle, organic, and other specialty varieties. Horseradish is a notable ingredient or flavor influence in several products. The range has received recognition in mustard competitions, including awards for Deli Style Mustard, Beer 'n Brat Mustard, Beer 'n Brat Horseradish Mustard, Organic Deli Mustard, Picante Pepper Mustard, and Chipotle Mustard.

• Horseradish condiment

  Thor's Hot Horseradish

  Thor's Hot Horseradish entered the Silver Spring portfolio through the 2006 acquisition of Thor-Shackel Horseradish Company. The acquisition broadened the company's branded horseradish offering and added associated Thor-Shackel products.

• Horseradish condiment

  Kelchner's Horseradish Products

  Kelchner's products became part of the portfolio through Silver Spring's 2009 acquisition of Kelchner's Horseradish Products in Dublin, Pennsylvania. Production was moved to Eau Claire in 2010, while the Pennsylvania operation retained headquarters and shipping functions. Distribution was later expanded into additional eastern U.S. markets.

• Sauces and preserves · 2005

  Jams and Sauces

  The company's portfolio expanded into jams and sauces through the 2005 acquisition of the Waldorf, Nuevo Sol, and Bella Migliore brands. These products complemented Silver Spring's core horseradish and mustard business and supported the company's broader specialty-food strategy.

• Seafood sauces and condiments

  Seafood Condiments

  Atlantic Seafood Products is part of the wider Huntsinger Companies brand portfolio. The category extends the group's condiment capabilities into sauces and accompaniments associated with seafood products.

• 2020

  Brede Foods joins the portfolioM&A

  Background

  The owner of Brede Foods approached Silver Spring's president about acquiring the brand.

  Action taken

  Silver Spring pursued the acquisition of Brede Foods.

  Aftermath

  Brede was described as the latest addition to the company's five-brand portfolio.

  Source

• 2010

  Consolidation of Kelchner's manufacturingStrategy

  Background

  The company sought to integrate the Kelchner's acquisition while maintaining an eastern operating presence.

  Action taken

  Kelchner's production was moved to Silver Spring's Eau Claire plant, while its Pennsylvania headquarters and shipping operation remained open.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement combined centralized manufacturing with continued Pennsylvania logistics and brand presence.

  Source

• 2009

  Acquisition of Kelchner's Horseradish ProductsM&A

  Background

  Silver Spring continued consolidating and expanding its position in specialty horseradish products.

  Action taken

  The company acquired Kelchner's Horseradish Products of Dublin, Pennsylvania.

  Aftermath

  Kelchner's manufacturing was later transferred to Eau Claire, with Pennsylvania facilities retained for headquarters and shipping activities.

  Source

• 2006

  Investment in a larger automated manufacturing plantStrategy

  Background

  After losing a major customer in 2003, the company rebuilt market share and required additional manufacturing capacity.

  Action taken

  Silver Spring completed a 100,000-square-foot, highly automated Eau Claire facility.

  Aftermath

  The plant reportedly doubled production capacity and supported subsequent portfolio growth.

  Source

• 2006

  Acquisition of Thor-Shackel Horseradish CompanyM&A

  Background

  The company pursued expansion within its core horseradish category.

  Action taken

  Silver Spring purchased Thor-Shackel Horseradish Company and added Thor's Hot Horseradish and related brands.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition strengthened the company's branded horseradish portfolio.

  Source

• 2005

  Acquisition of jam and sauce brandsM&A

  Background

  Silver Spring was preparing for increased production capacity and sought to broaden its specialty-food portfolio.

  Action taken

  The company acquired the Waldorf, Nuevo Sol, and Bella Migliore brands.

  Aftermath

  The acquisitions added jams and sauces to a business historically centered on horseradish and mustard.

  Source

1. 1Silver Spring Foodsen.wikipedia.org