Baldor Specialty Foods Acquires Golden Packing, Launches Golden Meat Co. to Expand Protein Offerings

Photo Credit: Golden Meat Co.

BRONX, N.Y., April 21, 2025 (WHERE & WHAT TO EAT) — Food distribution company Baldor Specialty Foods has announced the acquisition of premium meat company Golden Packing. As part of the transaction, Baldor will rebrand the Hunts Point Cooperative Market-based business as Golden Meat Co., expanding its vertically integrated meat processing capabilities.

According to the company, this move will enhance Baldor's ability to provide a wider variety of center-of-plate proteins to its customer base of over 14,000. The integration of Golden Packing's butchering and dry aging expertise with Baldor’s sourcing and logistics operations is expected to streamline meat offerings for foodservice clients.

"For decades, our customers have trusted us for high-quality fresh food. Adding meat processing has been a part of our plan since we sold our first piece of protein. With veteran meat guru Mark Pastore on the team, I knew it was the right time to move forward in the search for a partner. With Baldor’s sourcing, procurement, and delivery capabilities paired with Golden’s cutting and dry aging expertise, we will be scaling a cut shop that meets our customers’ growing needs around meat and bringing wheels to the great business Golden has already created," said TJ Murphy, Owner & CEO of Baldor Specialty Foods.

Golden Packing was co-founded by David Bernstein and Jerry Zwernemann in 2020 and currently supplies more than 150 customers, including high-end steakhouses in New York City. The company’s origins trace back to the 1920s in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. The acquisition includes retaining Golden Packing’s staff of 35, including butchers and drivers.

"Even with how large Baldor is, it doesn't feel like we are partnering with a corporation—it feels like a family. We have found a like-minded organization that is as committed to their customers as we are. This is a great day for our business, and we are excited to see Golden's business accelerate as part of Baldor, with the opportunity to sell our meat up and down the Eastern Seaboard," said David Bernstein.

To support the expansion, Baldor has appointed several key team members. Mark Pastore joins as Vice President of Business Development. Kevin Lindgren will serve as Director of Golden Meat Co., while John Winters DiMarco has been named Protein Business Development Manager, and Daniel Nguyen joins as Senior Protein Supply Planner.

Golden Meat Co. products will now be distributed through Baldor’s existing logistics network, with customer access to Baldor’s broader inventory of over 6,000 food items. The meat offerings will include dry-aged and fresh cuts, both prime and high choice, customized for chefs’ needs.

"It’s our goal to make our customers’ lives easier. And that means being able to deliver everything they need to succeed—from produce to dairy to grocery to the best meat in the world, sourced from premium Baldor partners, like DemKota, Joyce Farms and Niman Ranch—all on a single delivery. This is a big unlock for us and our customers. We can’t wait to see meat on every order", said Benjamin Walker, Chief Revenue Officer.

For more information, visit www.baldorfood.com.

Source: Baldor Specialty Foods