Earl Olson, 91, Founded Turkey Giant Jennie-O
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Earl Olson, founder of Jennie-O Foods, died yesterday at his home in Willmar, Minn. He was 91.
Olson launched what would become Jennie-O in Willmar in 1949, under the name “Farmer’s Produce Company,” according to a company history. A year later, he phased out dairy and other poultry products to focus solely on turkeys. The company took the name Jennie-O in 1953, named for Olson’s daughter Jennifer, who is currently a spokeswoman for the company.
Olson sold Jennie-O to Hormel Foods in 1986, but remained active in the company as an adviser and consultant.
After merging with another Hormel acquisition, the Turkey Store, in 2001, Jennie-O sells 1,500 items, employs 7,000 people, and, at 1.2 billion pounds this year, is the largest American turkey processor.
