Baldor Specialty Foods acquires Golden Packing to expand meat operations

USA – Baldor Specialty Foods is acquiring Golden Packing, a New York-based meat business, as the company moves to expand its meat processing and distribution capabilities.

The acquisition includes the transfer of Golden Packing’s operations at Hunts Point Cooperative Market, which will now operate under the name Golden Meat Co.

With this move, Baldor plans to combine its sourcing and logistics strengths with in-house butchering, adding full-service meat processing to its existing infrastructure.

Golden Meat Co will now be part of Baldor’s broader catalogue of more than 6,000 products, which spans categories like produce, bakery, fish, dairy, and grocery.

The new meat division will offer a range of cuts including dry-aged and fresh meat, with custom-portioning available to match individual customer specifications.

Golden Packing traces its origins to the 1920s in Manhattan’s former Meatpacking District and currently supplies more than 150 clients, including upscale steakhouse restaurants.

In 2020, the business was revitalized by David Bernstein, a fourth-generation family member, alongside industry veteran Jerry Zwernemann.

Together, Bernstein and Zwernemann bring more than 60 years of combined experience and will continue to manage operations under Baldor’s ownership.

Baldor CEO TJ Murphy said the company has long planned to develop its protein business, beginning from the time it first started selling meat products.

To help manage growth and steer protein strategy, Baldor has appointed Mark Pastore as vice president of business development for meat sales.

Pastore, who has worked in the meat sector for over 30 years, will focus on expanding customer reach across the East Coast.

Kevin Lindgren, formerly Baldor’s director of protein merchandising, will now lead Golden Meat Co and oversee integration of the new unit into the broader business.

Additional appointments include John Winters DiMarco as protein business development manager and Daniel Nguyen as senior protein supply planner.

The existing Golden Packing team—including butchers, drivers, and other staff—will remain in place, maintaining continuity in operations.

Murphy said the acquisition will allow Baldor to scale its meat cutting services and broaden its customer offerings while preserving Golden’s established practices.

Bernstein described Baldor as a collaborative partner that maintains a family-like culture despite its larger scale and wider customer base.

He said the partnership will enable Golden’s products to reach new markets along the Eastern Seaboard and offer clients access to Baldor’s full range of goods.

Golden Meat Co sales will now run through Baldor’s ordering systems and use its transportation network for deliveries.

The company’s meat portfolio will continue to develop relationships with vendors focused on flavour and humane farming practices, consistent with Baldor’s sourcing principles.

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