Cains Foods

Turn back the clock to 1914, and work your way through the bustle of Fanueil Hall Market Place. In these great storehouses, purveyors of fresh meats, produce and dairy products sold their goods to retailers and restaurants throughout the greater Boston area. It was in this place, at this time that John E. Cain opened his Cheese distribution company... . But unlike many of the others working at Fanueil Hall, John Cain had vision, and set his course to become a true example of the American Dream. As he expanded to include more products including mayonnaise, he realized that mayonnaise had a characteristic that caused it to separate. Determined to solve this problem, he convinced Harry Smith to help him create and manufacture a better product. And so they did, and in 1924, Cains Mayonnaise was introduced: a delicious mayonnaise that did not separate, and kept its creamy smooth texture and appearance. An instant success, Cains needed more manufacturing space to meet growing demand, and moved to Cambridge in 1926. John E. Cain was invigorated by the success of his mayonnaise, and saw expansion in his future. Delicious recipes for new products were tested and introduced. New England quickly fell in love with Cains Sweet Relish, Horseradish, Sandwich Spread, Tartar Sauce and Russian Dressing. In 1932, John Cain bought the Sunrise Food Company for its great tasting Potato Chips. Again, his vision saw a superior product. To have the highest quality chips available, automatic machinery was installed, providing precise manufacturing control. In 1939, consistent crispness and taste was achieved, earning the popular snack a new name: Cains Potato Chips. As this business grew, Cains constructed a magnificent potato chip plant on the Mystic Valley Parkway in Medford in 1952. From that time until leaving the potato chip business in 1981, this facility became a landmark throughout New England. To this day, people tell stories of touring this facility and seeing how Cains Potato Chips were made, and how wonderful they tasted. The ...Read More