Our Story
The Schiff's Food Service Story
1969
After new federal regulations were imposed upon the food service industry, Alyn Scheatzle bought Morris Schiff’s wholesale meat business and became Schiff’s Restaurant Service, Inc. Initially the company concentrated only on cut meats and frozen foods.
1987
After the acquisition of Scranton Foods, it was necessary to provide a separate business identity and expand our facilities to better serve the growing needs of our customers.
1990
Schiff’s Food Service, Inc. was incorporated as a separate entity and we relocated to our current facility in Taylor, Pennsylvania. A USDA meat cutting facility was also added to provide the highest quality specialty meat cutting demanded by our customers.
Since the relocation, we joined the Pocahontas Buying and Marketing Group. Our increased abilities enabled us to expand distribution to Northern New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and the Southern tier of New York State.
2009
Following a merger between Progressive Group Alliance and UniPro, we became an equity member in UniPro Food Service, Inc., the largest food service distribution cooperative in the United States, with over $168 billion in buying power which directly benefits you.
The UniPro organization is the nation’s #1 food service distribution network for the industry’s leading national brands. This superior buying leverage is passed on to you. It is through this membership we can assure you the optimum variety of product, at competitive prices.
2021
SFS acquired the distribution division of K. Heeps in Allentown, Pennsylvania. We increased our fleet size by twenty percent to meet the demands of the expanded customer base.
2022
SFS acquired Korte & Co., Inc.’s facility and business in Easton, Pennsylvania. This location specializes in house-made items like beef chip-steak. We retained the Korte staff in addition to increasing staffing at that location.
2024
SFS acquired the foodservice and distribution business from Tommy Burke Provisions of Catasauqua, PA. This strategic move allowed SFS to expand its customer base and reach a broader audience. The acquired business would primarily operate out of the SFS East office, formerly known as Korte & Co.
2025
SFS purchased the real estate, business, and all associated branding of R&R Provision Co. Through this purchase, we plan to expand and streamline our Lehigh Valley operations through the 40,000-square-foot facility. We also gain the incredible team from R&R, a retail outlet, and online shop. The new location is renamed "Schiff's Food Service Easton".
TODAY
At Schiff’s Food Service, we are supplying food service solutions in the tradition of past generations.
The Legacy of SFS Easton
1934
R&R Provision Co. was founded by two men, Ralph and Russ, who lent their first initials to their new company’s name. With a truck and $100, they began delivering specialty food products around Northeast Pennsylvania for cash or barter.
1955
The USDA issues R&R the number 1081, forever distinguishing the company as among the first in the country to sell USDA-graded beef.
1955
Building on early accomplishments, R&R opens a meat-processing plant in Easton, Pennsylvania, and adds manufacturing to their successful distribution business.
1959
Richard W. “Rocky” Rogers joins R&R as butcher and expands the company’s processing operations.
1965
R&R expands its freezer facilities to meet demand as the company continues to grow. The slogan “R&R, best by far” is adopted, to which customers add, “if not by truck, then by car” in recognition of the company’s outstanding delivery service.
1974
Adding to its wholesale business, R&R opens an on-site retail store in Easton, selling local favorites like veal patties, sausage and scrapple, a regionally beloved take on meatloaf popularized by the Pennsylvania Dutch.
1980s
Rocky buys out some of the company’s early owners, and R&R expands its product offerings even further to better serve hundreds of the region’s top restaurants, country clubs, culinary arts schools, hospitals and more.
1990
Rocky’s son, Richard W. “Rick” Rogers II, joins the family business as an intern. R&R’s Head Butcher, Harry Ludwick, comes on board, building an expert team.
1993
Rocky Rogers buys the remaining piece of the company, now owning 100% of the booming family business. The company purchases a fleet of stainless-steel-body trucks, the gold-standard in the meat-delivery business.
1996
Mark Fainor joins R&R as General Manager of Operations following a 15-year career in retail supermarket management, continuing to strengthen the R&R management team.
1997
R&R is awarded the Community Fabric Award for Best Hospitality of the Decade by Northampton Community College’s prestigious Culinary Arts Program.
2009
R&R opens a new, state-of-the-art 20,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Easton, allowing it to process thousands of pounds of meat products daily. Expansion gives R&R a total of 40,000 square feet of operational space.
2019
The company celebrates its 85th Anniversary and launches its online shop Butcher House Cuts. The leadership reigns are passed to a third generation with Rick named President & CEO.
2021
With Rick’s retirement, Head Butcher Harry Ludwick is promoted to President & CEO after more than 30 years with R&R. Mark Fainor is promoted from General Manager of Operations to Vice President of Operations after 25 years with R&R.
2025
SFS, another family-owned business, purchased the real estate, business, and all associated branding of R&R Provision Co. The location is renamed "Schiff's Food Service Easton".