Bringing the Boardman Foods Dream to Life
The story of Boardman Foods started in 1977, when cousins Brian Maag and Tom Flaherty embarked on a backpacking trip through Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains. During this adventure, they envisioned a time when they would start a company together.
In the mid-1980s, Brian left public accounting and started a fresh-pack onion packing company with his brother Doug close to the family farm. At the same time, Brian and Tom began researching more value-added opportunities for onions. Tom was working in the meat industry in Chicago, which gave him access to large food companies.
Their research identified the need for consistent, high-quality vegetables for soups, sauces, and frozen entrees. They decided to start a company that would provide recipe-ready vegetables for these applications.
The two started their business in the Columbia Basin, home to some of the finest onions in the world. In 1992, their dream of opening a business together became a reality.
They decided to build their facility in Eastern Oregon at the Port of Morrow in Boardman, close to this ready supply of onions and convenient to two major interstate highways, Columbia River barges, and the main line of the Union Pacific Railroad.
From the start, Boardman Foods placed food safety at the forefront of its business model. As a result, we designed the Boardman facility with the latest technology to ensure product specifications. However, we do more than check a box; our team goes above and beyond to ensure food safety and quality.
Today, the entrepreneurial spirit and deep-rooted work ethic instilled by Tom and Brian’s grandparents (who homesteaded in Oregon over a century ago) are alive and well. Together, our team works tirelessly to ensure that the legacy of Boardman Foods continues to thrive.
Aerial Time Capsule: Charting Our Growth from 1992 to 2023
Embark on a visual journey through the decades illustrating the evolution and expansion of our facilities and community from 1992 to Today. ‘We keep growing’ is not just a statement, but a testament to our enduring commitment to progress and innovation.
