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LANSING — State Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) shared packages of Vollwerth’s hot dogs with the members of the House Tourism and Outdoor Recreation and House Agriculture committees, which met for a joint meeting today. Dianda is the Democratic vice chairman of the Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee.
“One of our duties as a state representative is to help support and promote our local small businesses, and that’s why last week I shared potatoes from the Johnson family farm in Iron County with my committee members, and this week, I’m sharing a package of hot dogs that are made in Hancock and are the best hot dogs you’ll ever eat,” said Dianda. “Vollwerth’s has been in business and run by family members since 1915. I’m proud to help share the news about this great Upper Peninsula company.”
Vollwerth & Co. was started by German immigrant Richard Vollwerth, who wanted to make great, quality sausage. It started in the basement of a Hancock home, and eventually moved to a larger, modern facility in Hancock, where it remains to this day. The company gradually expanded its distribution throughout the Upper Peninsula. In 1970, it became the first meat processor in the state of Michigan to comply with the Wholesome Meat Act of 1967. This allowed the company to sell its sausage throughout the United States. Today, there are third-, fourth- and fifth-generation family members involved with the company in various positions.
