Our Story
The Meat Block is much more than just a business to the Schmidt family, it is a way of life.
After nearly 20 years of experience in a meat market, Phil and his wife Vicki decided it was time to merge Phil’s knowledge and passion for quality meats and food with their family values. This includes the importance of sharing a meal together as a family.
We opened our doors in Greenville in 2010 with only five employees, 1,500 square feet of retail store, 1,900 square feet of production space and one smokehouse. Over the next four years, we grew quickly, adding on two additions and increasing our team to over 15 people. We now have 2,700 square feet of retail space, a 5,700 square foot production area, two smokehouses and a catering kitchen.
In 2014, we purchased an existing retail grill and grilling accessories store, BBQ Pits n’ Spits, which perfectly complemented our existing meat market.
In 2021, Phil’s lifelong mentor, Tim Haen, one of four brothers who owned Haen Meat Packing in Kaukauna, approached us about his succession plan. The Haen brothers had taken the business as far as they wanted to go. Our family considers the opportunity to purchase and merge the Haen business with The Meat Block a surreal experience granted by God’s grace.
We’re grateful to work with Clyde Weycker as a partner in these endeavors. Clyde has been with The Meat Block since its inception.
Our commitment now is to grow and expand The Meat Block to better serve the Greater Greenville and Kaukauna communities. In 2022, we improved our Kaukauna location by constructing a 6,000 square foot addition and remodeling 3,000 square feet of retail space. Our recent renovations at The Meat Block in Greenville allow for more ready-to-eat processing and processes. In addition, we proudly went from being a state-inspected plant to being federally inspected. This expanded the potential of private label and co-packing opportunities for our family business.
We are thankful for the work and dedication of our staff and our family as well as our loyal customers for making our continued growth possible.
We believe that each one of us can make a difference in the world. Our business is built on our faith, trust in God and a passion to bring the very best in high-quality meats and food items to the family table. We strive to make our footprint to be one of faith, hope and love. It is at the very fabric of the way we do business. It’s what holds us together and makes us strong. We feel truly blessed by our family, friends, community and by you, our customer.
With everyone’s hectic schedules, it’s more important than ever to share a family meal together. In fact, it may be the only time when all family members are together in one place.
We hope that our quality products, including our delicious, chef-prepared homemade heat-and-eat meals, will help in providing a meal that will be cherished by you and your family.
By combining fresh, high-quality meats and products with superior customer service, you’re guaranteed an exceptional experience whenever you visit The Meat Block at any of our two locations.
From our family to your table,
Phil and Vicki Schmidt
AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS
- Grand Champion – Specialty Meat Entree (Southwest Pork Pinwheel) (Wisconsin Cured Meat Championships)
- Reserve Grand Champion – Smoked Kielbasa or Polish Sausage (Polish Sausage) (Wisconsin Cured Meat Championships)
- Reserve Champion – Cooked & Uncured Traditional Bratwurst (Wisconsin Cured Meat Championships)
- Champion – Bone-In Ham (Wisconsin State Fair)