At Campbell Soup Company, we’re proud of our rich history as the makers of the foods and beverages you know and love. It inspires our purpose: Connecting people through food they love.At Campbell, the love we have for the food we make has connected us with families for over 150 years. Learn more about our company, our culture and values, get to know our leadership team, and explore our history.
Founded in 1869, today we are a focused brand powerhouse with two divisions: Meals & Beverages and Snacks. As a purpose-driven company, we play an integral role in society, from the food we make and the ways we make it to our longstanding commitment to the communities we call home and the environment.
Purpose, Values, and Culture
Building on our history as a trusted food company, guided by our purpose and values, Campbell is doing our part to create a more sustainable future for the world we share. Connecting people through food they love inspires us every day.Connecting people through food they love
Campbell was founded as a purpose-driven company and, for over 150 years, the essence of our purpose has not changed: to make food that is delicious, affordable, and prepared with care—food that people love.Connecting people through food they love has always been at the heart of who we are, and it is why Campbell brands are loved by people across generations.
Our purpose guides the way we think, talk, and act. It shapes the relationships that we have with one another, and the positive impact we aim to have on the world.
We believe in the work we do to connect people to each other, to the memories they cherish, and to honest, authentic, delicious food they can trust.
Food connects all of us to the people and world we care about. At Campbell, our purpose is connecting people through food they love—today and for generations to come.
The 5 C's of Campbell's
- Care
We care about each other, our consumers and customers, the communities we serve, and the planet we share.- Character
We act with integrity and transparency, execute with excellence, and are accountable for our actions.- Collaboration
We believe inclusive and diverse teams build trust and lead to better results.- Competitiveness
We are growth-minded, take bold actions, move fast, and play to win.- Creativity
We innovate and find solutions to continuously improve.
Camille Pierce, CCOLiving our values creates the inclusive, high-performance culture we need to continue to grow. Our values reflect the best of who we are and who we aspire to be.Our culture
Campbell’s culture is the key to our success as a company. Guided by our purpose and values, we’re proud of the way we support and care for each other, our communities, and the consumers we serve.At Campbell, building a winning team and culture means to act with integrity and hold ourselves and each other accountable. To collaborate on creative solutions to the challenges we face. And to ensure that inclusion and diversity are embedded in our operations so that every employee can bring their real self to work and reach their full growth potential.
Our strategy
Our mission is to unlock our full growth potential, driven by our strategic plan: building a winning team and culture, accelerating profitable growth, fueling investments and margins with targeted cost savings, and delivering on the promise of our purpose.As we continue to advance our strategic plan, we will deliver on the promise of our purpose, drive growth, and continue our legacy of impact for all our stakeholders.
Our history
We were founded by fruit merchant and namesake Joseph Campbell and commercial canner Abraham Anderson in 1869 as Anderson & Campbell. We claimed the name Campbell Soup Company during Dr. John T. Dorrance’s tenure as president in honor of his groundbreaking invention—condensed soup. Now, over 150 years later, we’re proud of the legacy we’ve built making food people love and the role our brands play in kitchens, cupboards, pantries—and bellies—throughout North America.
1869Joseph Campbell, a wholesale fruit and vegetable vendor, and Abraham Anderson, a commercial canner and packer, form the firm of Anderson & Campbell in Camden, New Jersey. This would one day become Campbell Soup Company.
1894Arthur Dorrance succeeds Joseph Campbell as president. Joseph Campbell retires, ending the association of the original founders, with Abraham Anderson having previously left the partnership in 1876.
1895First jar of ready-to-eat soup, Beefsteak Tomato, is introduced. New Jersey Beefsteak tomatoes had been our signature product for over 25 years, featured prominently on our labels and first trademark.
1897Dr. John T. Dorrance, Arthur’s nephew, invents the process of condensing soup, leading to smaller packaging: Cans! The invention makes soups more affordable for families while preserving the quality of the ingredients.
1898First red & white soup can label debuts after a company executive attends the annual Cornell-Penn football game and is impressed by Cornell’s new red and white uniforms.
1900The company wins a bronze medal for product excellence at the Paris Exposition. The medallion is added to the can label where it still appears to this day.
1904Campbell Kids are "born" when a Philadelphia artist, Grace Dayton, sketches them for a series of streetcar advertisements.
1905Our first national ad campaign debuts in magazines like Good Housekeeping.
1911Campbell’s soup achieves national distribution.
1914Dr. John T. Dorrance, inventor of condensed soup, becomes president of the company. He leads the company until his death in 1930.
1915We acquire Franco-American Food company, founded in 1886 and makers of condensed soup and canned pasta. This is our first acquisition.
1922We adopt "Soup" as our middle name, officially becoming Campbell Soup Company.
1931We begin radio advertising with our iconic "M’m! M’m! Good!" jingle.
1934We introduce Campbell’s Noodle with Chicken and Cream of Mushroom soups. Noodle with Chicken became Chicken Noodle after a radio announcer misread an ad for the soup and the name stuck.
1941Campbell Test Kitchens open, with professionally trained home economists developing recipes using condensed soups—many of which would become classics
1948We acquire V8, founded in 1933 by W.G. Peacock in Evanston, Illinois. The acquisition includes a manufacturing location based in Napoleon, Ohio, opened in 1938. Today, V8 is the leading vegetable juice in the United States.
1951Campbell’s first television commercial premieres. The company goes on to sponsor highly-rated shows, including "Lassie" and "Peter Pan."
1951Future President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, appears in a V8 ad
1953We launch the Campbell Soup Foundation, originally founded as the "Campbell Soup Fund," which supports organizations driving transformative work in the communities we call home.
1954Campbell Soup Company goes public on the New York Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol CPB.
1955Campbell home economist, Dorcas Reilly, creates the iconic Green Bean Casserole recipe. Every Thanksgiving, this recipe is viewed 4 million times on our website.
1957We open a new 136,000 sq. ft. corporate headquarters less than a mile from our original location in Camden, New Jersey. This is still our home today.
1961We acquire Pepperidge Farm, a baked goods company founded by Margaret Rudkin in Fairfield, Connecticut in 1937. Here are a few moments from Pepperidge Farm history, before Maggie joined the Campbell family.
1962Pepperidge Farm Goldfish debut. The first five flavors are: Lightly Salted (Original), Cheese, Pizza, Barbecue and Smoky. Today, Goldfish are among the world’s most popular snack crackers.
1962Andy Warhol debuts Campbell’s Soup Cans paintings at the Ferus art gallery in Los Angeles.
1965SpaghettiOs debuts as "The greatest invention since the napkin." Original varieties were "Original," "Franks," and "Little Meatballs."
1970We launch Chunky soup, our first product geared specifically toward men. In 1997, Chunky soup becomes the Official Soup Sponsor of the NFL, with the birth of our famous Mama’s Boys campaign featuring NFL stars.
1974The Campbell Soup Foundation launches a Summer Program providing safe, constructive activities for thousands of Camden youth each year.
1981We introduce Prego pasta sauces, becoming the #1 new dry grocery product of the decade.
1983Our first child care center opens for Campbell families. In 2018 we celebrated the grand opening of a new state-of-the-art Family Center.
1988Goldfish crackers blast into space onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.
1990The 20 billionth can of Campbell’s Condensed Tomato soup is made.
1991Campbell’s Healthy Request soups are introduced, providing a heart healthy and convenient soup option.
1995We acquire Pace Foods, a leading producer of salsa, founded by David Pace in San Antonio, Texas in 1947.
1997Goldfish crackers become "The Snack That Smiles Back" with the introduction of "Smiley," and actual smiles on some of the crackers. This marks the first-ever alteration to Goldfish since the crackers launched in 1962.
1997We celebrate 100 years of Campbell’s condensed soup.
2004We launch our first Employee Resource Group (ERG), the Campbell African American Network. Today known as the Black Resource Group, it is one of almost a dozen ERGs across the company that help us continue to build a more inclusive workplace.
2006Goldfish Finn and Friends advertising campaign is first introduced.
2010We invest in the expansion of our World Headquarters in Camden, New Jersey by opening a new 80,000 square foot, silver-level LEED certified employee center. Our total footprint is now 750,000 square feet.
2011We launch Campbell’s Healthy Communities, a 10-year, $10-million commitment to improve the health of young people in our hometown of Camden, New Jersey. The program focuses on four areas that we believe make communities healthier: food access; physical activity; nutrition education; and public will.
2012We dedicate a 9.8 megawatt solar field at our Napoleon, Ohio manufacturing location.
2012We launch a limited-edition series of cans of Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup with Andy Warhol-inspired labels to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the artist’s work.
2016Campbell’s Well Yes! launches with 9 original varieties, including Roasted Chicken & Wild Rice.
2017We acquire Pacific Foods, maker of natural and organic broths, soups, and plant-based beverages, founded in Tualatin, Oregon in 1987.
2018We acquire Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. of Charlotte, North Carolina, a leading snack company with well-known brands like Snyder’s of Hanover, Lance, Kettle Brand, Cape Cod, and Late July.
2019Mark A. Clouse becomes our 14th president and CEO.
2019We celebrate 150 years of making delicious, affordable food for all.
Campbell HistoryOver 150 years at your kitchen table.
We’ve been proudly making food for over 150 years. Our heritage is a testament to the iconic brands and delicious foods that our employees—past and present—created and continue to build upon today.Our family of brands
- Campbell’s
- Pacific Foods
- Campbell’s Chunky
- Prego
- Swanson
- V8
- Pace
- SpaghettiOs
- Campbell’s Well Yes!
- Campbell’s FlavorUp!
- Campbell’s Slow Kettle
- Campbell’s Homestyle
- Campbell’s Healthy Request
- Campbell’s Slow Cooker
- Campbell’s Skillet Sauces
- Cape Cod
- Farmhouse
- Goldfish
- Kettle Brand
- Lance
- Late July
- Milano Cookies
- Pretzel Crisps
- Snyder’s of Hanover
- Pepperidge Farm Bread & Rolls
- Pepperidge Farm Distinctive Cookies
- Pepperidge Farm Frozen Desserts
- Archway
- Emerald Nuts
- Pop Secret
- Eat Smart Snacks
- Jay’s
- Krunchers
- O-Ke-Doke
- Stella D’oro
- Tom’s
