Lakeside Foods Invests in Meat Snack Packaging Upgrades

Wisconsin co-packer bolsters single-stick and multi-pack options to meet growing consumer demand for convenient protein snacks.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:13am

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A photorealistic studio still-life image of a single, premium meat snack stick made from polished raw materials, elegantly arranged on a clean, monochromatic background using dramatic lighting to conceptually represent the growing demand for convenient protein-rich snacks.Lakeside Foods' investments in meat snack packaging reflect the growing consumer appetite for portable, protein-rich options.Manitowoc Today

Lakeside Foods, a longtime producer and supplier of frozen and canned food products, is strengthening its proteins position with new investments in meat stick packaging technology. The family-owned company, which operates 15 production facilities across the Midwest, is building on its multi-pack options and adding single-stick packaging capabilities to meet rising consumer demand for convenient, protein-rich snacks.

Why it matters

As a major co-manufacturer for both national brands and private labels, Lakeside Foods' packaging upgrades reflect broader industry trends toward portable, protein-forward snacks. The company's diversified portfolio - spanning smoked sausages, canned meats, and frozen vegetables - positions it to serve a range of customer needs across retail, foodservice, and industrial channels.

The details

Lakeside Foods recently installed new single-stick packaging technology to complement its existing multi-pack meat stick production. The company says it is focused on delivering the packaging formats that best meet the varying preferences of its co-manufacturing and private-label customers, who are seeing growing consumer demand for protein-rich snacks in both individual and multi-serve formats.

  • Lakeside Foods has been producing a diverse portfolio of food products since its founding in 1887.
  • The company recently invested in new single-stick packaging technology for its meat snack lines.

The players

Lakeside Foods

A family-owned food manufacturer that operates 15 production facilities across the Midwest, producing a range of frozen, canned, and packaged food products including smoked sausages, canned meats, and meat snacks.

Nick Brisch

The vice president of sales and supply chain for Lakeside Foods, overseeing the company's investments in new meat snack packaging capabilities.

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What they’re saying

“While we've long had the capability to produce meat and sausage sticks to any specifications our customers might have, our recent investments have focused on the packaging side of the operation.”

— Nick Brisch, Vice President of Sales and Supply Chain

“Smoked meat snacks, to include a variety of meat sticks, represent a newer category for us with tremendous growth potential.”

— Nick Brisch, Vice President of Sales and Supply Chain

What’s next

Lakeside Foods plans to continue expanding its meat snack production and packaging capabilities to meet growing consumer demand for convenient protein-rich options across retail, foodservice, and industrial channels.

The takeaway

Lakeside Foods' investments in meat stick packaging upgrades reflect broader industry trends toward portable, protein-forward snacks. As a major co-manufacturer, the company is well-positioned to serve the evolving needs of its national brand and private-label customers.