Beech-Nut Packing Company produced foods such as smoked ham and bacon. The company was founded in 1891 in Canajoharie, New York, as the Imperial Packing Co. For the first seven years, the company's principal products were ham and bacon. In 1899, the company was incorporated as the Beech-Nut Packing Company. Beech-Nut engineers patented the first vacuum jar; the design included a gasket top that could remain intact in transit, which became the industry standard. By 1925, the company's product line expanded to include peanut butter, jam, pork and beans, ketchup, chili sauce, mustard, spaghetti, macaroni, marmalade, caramel, fruit drops, mints, chewing gum, and coffee.

In 1956, the company merged with Life Savers, Inc. to form Beech-Nut Life Savers, Inc. In 1977, a line of baby food was introduced and became what the company is best known for. The company was sold or merged with another company numerous times, eventually becoming part of the Swiss firm Hero Group in 2005. In 2006, a major flood in Canajoharie severely damaged the plant, and the company moved operations to Florida. Today the company produces baby food under the brand name Beech-Nut and continues to be owned by Hero Group.