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Mrs. Gerry’s on Monday celebrated 50 years in business.

To commemorate the occasion, the entire Vogt family, including founders Gerry and Jerry Vogt, their children Steve Vogt, Chad Vogt and Lynn Rasmussen, and their families, were invited to join past retirees and current employees for a ceremony honoring Gerry Vogt, and a luncheon in Mrs. Gerry’s newly completed North Breakroom, according to a press release.

“50 years ago Jerry and Gerry embarked on a journey fueled by passion and determination to build something extraordinary,” CEO Kevin Green said. “They laid the foundation for this company, nurturing it with unwavering dedication and an undeniable belief in their dreams.”

Mrs. Gerry’s began in 1973, after Jerry Vogt expressed a need for someone to make salads to sell on his meat delivery route. Subsequently, they prayed about it overnight and Gerry awoke with a sense of peace and decided to seize the opportunity.

The business began in a 1,100 square-foot plant on East Seventh Street. It had two stoves, a sink, a cooler and the two best employees: Gerry Vogt’s mom and dad. Armed with her family’s recipes, she began what would ultimately grow to a business occupying a 214,500 square-foot facility with 250 employees, manufacturing 150 different products, producing more than 50 million pounds per year, and distributing coast to coast.

In 2020, Mrs. Gerry’s was purchased by Sequel Holdings LLC in Dallas, Texas. Sequel’s deep industry experience and strategic planning paired with Mrs. Gerry’s ongoing commitment to their employees and the community, ensures a long-term value and growth of Mrs. Gerry’s in the years to come.