Roots in Virginia
The story of White House Foods begins in 1908, when Frank Armstrong Sr. and B. Fleet started repackaging vinegar on the waterfront of Alexandria, Virginia. Within a year, the first plant was built, and by 1918 operations had moved to Winchester, surrounded by the apple orchards that still define the company today. From those early days, apples became the foundation of a growing business that would touch households across the country.
Building Through Generations
What started with vinegar quickly expanded into applesauce, apple butter, and juices. Even through the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II, the company held steady, relying on resourcefulness and the strong ties of local community. As the orchards and facilities grew, so did the White House brand, becoming a familiar name that families trusted.
The Armstrong family guided the company for nearly a century. Leadership passed from one generation to the next, each building on the work of the one before. From developing Clingstone peaches in the 1950s to expanding orchards to more than 2,000 acres, their commitment to quality and innovation left a lasting mark on American agriculture.
A Family Legacy Continues
In 2006, ownership transitioned from the Armstrong family to the Gum family. This change kept the company’s values rooted in family stewardship. David Gum, a longtime employee and farmer, understood both the business and the land. Under his leadership, White House Foods has remained dedicated to the same principles that guided its early years: farming with care, producing with integrity, and serving families with products they can trust.
As the White House family often says, the mission is simple: From Our House to Yours.
Farming for the Future
White House Foods is not only preserving history, it is also investing in the future of farming. In recent years, the company has expanded its orchards and planted 200 new acres of apple trees. Each tree is carefully tended, a reflection of the patience and dedication required to maintain healthy orchards for generations to come.
The company also works closely with local apple growers, strengthening long-term relationships that support the regional farming community. This approach ensures a steady supply of quality apples while keeping agriculture vibrant in the Shenandoah Valley.
Quality in Every Apple
Behind every jar of applesauce or bottle of vinegar is the same commitment to farming that began in 1908. Apples are grown with attention to detail and harvested with the highest standards of care. The result is food that reflects both heritage and quality.
This focus is not about scale alone. It is about producing food that families can count on, made from fruit grown close to home and handled with pride. White House Foods has built its reputation on consistency and honesty, values that remain at the heart of everything they do.
Writing the Next Chapter
Today, White House Foods stands as one of the longest-running apple processors in the country, still rooted in Winchester and still family-run. Their story is written across generations of farmers, workers, and families who believed in the power of agriculture to sustain communities.
With every new acre of orchard planted and every product shared, they continue to honor the past while preparing for the future. The White House brand is more than a label. It is a legacy of care, passed from one family to another, and from one generation to the next.
