Food - Drink
The Company Behind Almost 85% Of The World's Canned Pumpkin
By ERICA MARTINEZ
Canned foods like soups and vegetables are associated with brands like Heinz and Campbell, but when autumn comes, many cooks turn to canned pumpkin for their fall desserts. If you're one of these cooks, you can probably guess which company produces most of the world's canned pumpkin, but you'll still be surprised by the statistics.
Most of the canned pumpkin in stores comes from Chicago company Libby's, which produces about 85% of the world’s canned pumpkin. Libby actually started out canning meat upon their debut in 1869, and even won awards for their meat products, but by the late 1920s, the brand began canning fruits and vegetables, including pumpkin.
Illinois has prime growing conditions for pumpkins, with warm, dry summers and well-drained soil, which certainly helped Libby's become the most iconic canned pumpkin brand. Libby's still produces canned meat, juices, condiments, and even frozen fruit, but the company is synonymous with pumpkin pie to many bakers.