Made In Valdosta: Sunset Farm Foods
December 8, 2016
“Valdosta-Lowndes County is a great business minded community and we have been proud to have been doing business here for 98 years, “said Tom Carroll, President of Sunset Farm Foods , a 4th generation family business.
Their history goes back to 1918, when Walter W. Carroll started selling two sides of beef a week to Flashers Meat Market on Ashley Street. In 1932, his son, James D. Carroll, joined him in the business. That same year the two purchased the land on Madison Highway where the company currently sits today. In 1937, Walter changed the name to W.W. Carroll and Son to reflect his son coming on board. In 1948, the name was changed again to Carroll Packing Company to emphasize the growing focus on retail and wholesale meats. In 1975, the company changed from state to federal inspection allowing them to cross state lines with their products. Because of this, the growth rate of Sunset Farm Foods increased as the state of Florida was eager for the fresh products they offered. In 1980 the company assumed its current name, Sunset Farm Foods.
While their name has changed several times throughout the years, their sausage recipe has not. It was created by Jack Knight in 1969 and is still used today.
From economical chicken sausage (Georgia Special) to premium pork or beef smoked sausage (Sunset Farm Brand), they have something for everyone. Sunset Farms has also ventured throughout the years into making smoked sliced ham, sausage for further processing (i.e. for frozen entrees) and country favorites such as souse, liver pudding and chitterling loaf.
Now their products are in most communities in the Southeast and Central Atlantic. You can also find their tasty products in the military commissary system all over the world.
Sunset Farm Foods currently employs over 130 people. 10 employees have been with Sunset for over 20 years each. At one time, Sunset Farm Foods had 3 generations of one family working in production. “We are committed to our employees as we are to our customers, with our emphasis on their safety and health,” says Carroll. “We are a family company made up of families.”
Written by: Meghan Barwick, appeared in the Valdosta Magazine, Fall 2016 issue
