Boar’s Head Provision Co., Inc., also known as Boar's Head Brand or Frank Brunckhorst Co., LLC, is a prominent supplier of delicatessen meats, cheeses, and condiments. Founded in 1905 in Brooklyn, New York, the company now distributes its products across the United States and has been headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, since 2001.
History
Boar’s Head was established when Frank Brunckhorst, seeking higher quality meats, began distributing cold cuts and hot dogs under the Boar’s Head name in 1905. By 1933, the brand's popularity had grown significantly, prompting Brunckhorst and his partners, Bruno Bischoff and Theodore Weiler, to open their first manufacturing plant in Brooklyn with just three employees.
Brunckhorst’s son, Frank Brunckhorst II, eventually took over the business but passed away in 1972 at age 65. Throughout the 1990s, Boar’s Head expanded rapidly, adding processing plants in Virginia, Arkansas, and Michigan and shifting towards exclusive partnerships with major supermarket chains. In 2001, the company moved its headquarters from Brooklyn to Sarasota, Florida, partly due to a long-standing partnership with Publix, based nearby in Lakeland.
The voice of Boar’s Head commercials for many years was Joseph Sirola. In 2008, the company opened an experimental retail outlet in Brooklyn, which closed the following year. In July 2024, Boar’s Head issued a recall of over 7 million pounds of its products due to a listeria outbreak that, as of August 29, was linked to nine deaths and 57 hospitalizations.
Products
Boar’s Head offers a wide range of products, including popular meats like black forest ham, roast beef, and salami, as well as a variety of cheeses. In 2009, the company launched its "EverRoast Oven Roasted Chicken Breast" with a national marketing campaign, and in 2012, introduced its "Bold" line of globally inspired meats and cheeses. The brand also sells condiments such as barbecue sauce, horseradish, and mustard, along with a small selection of pickles, one of which was rated best overall on a 2017 episode of America’s Test Kitchen. More recently, Boar's Head has expanded its offerings to include hummus and Greek yogurt-based dips.
Legacy
Barbara Brunckhorst, daughter of founder Frank Brunckhorst, was a founder and trustee of the Barbara Brunckhorst Foundation before her death from brain cancer on November 18, 2020. The foundation has contributed millions to various charities, including those focused on nature conservation. In 2022, the foundation donated $104 million to establish the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
Boar’s Head offers a wide variety of premium products, including deli meats, cheeses, condiments, and specialty items. Here’s an overview of their main product categories:
1. Deli Meats
- Turkey: Oven Roasted, Smoked, Salsalito, Maple Glazed, Cajun, and more.
- Chicken: EverRoast Oven Roasted, Blazing Buffalo, Lemon Pepper, Jerk Chicken, etc.
- Ham: Black Forest, Virginia Ham, Sweet Slice, Maple Honey, and Lower Sodium options.
- Beef: Roast Beef, London Broil, Pastrami, and Corned Beef.
- Pork: Capicola, Prosciutto, Pancetta, and Sopressata.
- Salami: Genoa, Pepperoni, Hard Salami, and Italian Dry.
- Bologna and Hot Dogs: Beef Bologna, All-Beef Hot Dogs, and Low Sodium options.
2. Cheeses
- American: White and Yellow American.
- Swiss: Baby Swiss, Lacey Swiss, and Aged Swiss.
- Cheddar: Yellow, White, Vermont, and Sharp varieties.
- Provolone and Mozzarella: Fresh Mozzarella, Smoked Mozzarella, and Picante Provolone.
- Specialty Cheeses: Gouda, Havarti, Muenster, Fontina, and Asiago.
3. Condiments
- Mustards: Delicatessen Style, Honey Mustard, and Horseradish Mustard.
- Mayonnaise: Bold Fiery Chipotle Gourmaise.
- Barbecue Sauce: Bold PitCraft Slow Smoked Turkey Breast Sauce.
- Horseradish and Sauces: Pub Style Horseradish Sauce.
4. Specialty Products
- Hummus: Available in Classic, Roasted Red Pepper, Roasted Pine Nut, and more.
- Dips: Greek yogurt-based dips such as Tzatziki and Ranch.
- Pickles: Kosher Dill and Bread & Butter varieties.
Boar’s Head products are known for their high quality and are often found in deli sections of major supermarkets across the U.S.
Boar’s Head products are widely available at many grocery stores, delis, and specialty markets across the United States. Here are some common places where you can buy Boar’s Head products:
1. Major Supermarket Chains:
- Publix: A key partner, widely stocks Boar’s Head products, especially in the Southeast.
- Kroger: Available at many locations nationwide.
- Safeway / Albertsons: Commonly carries a range of Boar’s Head deli meats, cheeses, and condiments.
- H-E-B: Found in locations across Texas.
- Wegmans: Available in stores, primarily in the Northeast.
- Harris Teeter: Located mainly in the Southeastern U.S.
- Giant / Giant Eagle: Available in select locations.
2. Specialty Markets and Delis:
- Many independent delis and specialty food markets carry Boar’s Head products, particularly in urban and suburban areas.
3. Club Stores:
- Some club stores like Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale Club may carry Boar’s Head products, though availability can vary by location.
4. Online Grocery Delivery Services:
- Instacart: Many grocery stores that partner with Instacart offer Boar’s Head products for delivery.
- Amazon Fresh: Availability may vary by region, but some Boar’s Head items might be found here.
5. Boar’s Head Product Locator:
- Boar’s Head has a product locator tool on their website, which allows you to search for stores near you that carry their products. Simply enter your zip code and the type of product you’re looking for to find the nearest location.
Availability can vary by region, so it’s always a good idea to check with your local store to ensure they carry the specific Boar’s Head products you’re interested in.
Boar's Head provides detailed nutrition information for each of their products on their packaging and website. Since the specifics can vary widely across their extensive range of products, here’s a general breakdown of the typical nutritional components you might find in Boar’s Head products:
General Nutritional Information for Boar’s Head Products:
1. Deli Meats:
- Calories: Usually range from 30 to 90 calories per 2 oz serving, depending on the type (lean meats like turkey tend to be lower).
- Protein: Typically 8–14 grams per serving, providing a good source of protein.
- Fat: Ranges from 1 to 7 grams per serving; many options are low-fat or no-fat.
- Sodium: Can vary significantly, often between 250 to 600 mg per serving; low-sodium options are available.
- Carbohydrates: Generally 0 to 2 grams per serving; most deli meats are low in carbs.
2. Cheeses:
- Calories: Usually 80 to 110 calories per 1 oz serving.
- Protein: Around 6–8 grams per serving.
- Fat: Generally 7–9 grams per serving; some cheeses are higher in saturated fat.
- Sodium: Ranges from 150 to 300 mg per serving, with reduced-sodium varieties available.
- Carbohydrates: Typically 0 to 1 gram per serving.
3. Condiments:
- Calories: Vary widely, from low-calorie mustards (5–10 calories per serving) to higher-calorie spreads (up to 90 calories per serving).
- Fat: Can range from 0 grams in mustards to 9 grams in creamy condiments.
- Sodium: Condiments often have 100 to 300 mg of sodium per serving.
- Carbohydrates: Usually low, 0 to 5 grams per serving, with some variations depending on added sugars.
4. Specialty Products (Hummus, Dips, Pickles):
- Hummus: About 70 calories, 5 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein, and 130 mg of sodium per 2 tbsp serving.
- Greek Yogurt Dips: Typically around 30–60 calories, 2–5 grams of fat, and 100 mg of sodium per serving.
- Pickles: Low in calories (0–10 calories per serving) but can be high in sodium (up to 300 mg per serving).
Health and Quality Assurance:
Boar’s Head products are known for being free from artificial flavors, colors, fillers, by-products, and gluten, and many items are certified as heart-healthy.
The price of Boar’s Head products can vary based on location, product type, and store pricing. Here's a general overview of the typical price range you can expect for various Boar’s Head items:
Price Range for Boar’s Head Products:
1. Deli Meats (per pound):
- Turkey, Chicken, Ham, and Roast Beef: Typically range from $9 to $15 per pound. Specialty items or premium cuts, like Pastrami or London Broil, may be on the higher end.
- Salami, Pepperoni, and Bologna: Range from $10 to $16 per pound, with some specialty or imported varieties priced higher.
2. Cheeses (per pound):
- Basic Cheeses (American, Cheddar, Provolone, Swiss): Usually $8 to $14 per pound.
- Specialty Cheeses (Gouda, Havarti, Mozzarella): Typically range from $10 to $16 per pound.
3. Packaged Meats and Cheeses (pre-sliced or pre-packaged):
- Pre-packaged Deli Meats (7-9 oz): Generally priced between $5 to $8 per package.
- Pre-packaged Cheeses (8 oz): Typically range from $4 to $7 per package.
4. Condiments:
- Mustards, Horseradish, Barbecue Sauces: Typically $3 to $5 per bottle (8-12 oz).
- Pickles: Range from $4 to $6 per jar.
5. Specialty Products (Hummus, Dips):
- Hummus (10 oz): Generally priced between $4 to $6 per container.
- Greek Yogurt Dips (10 oz): Typically $4 to $7 per container.
These prices can fluctuate based on factors such as regional availability, promotions, and the specific store’s pricing strategy. Boar’s Head products are generally considered premium, so they may be priced higher than standard deli items.