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Thomas Bramwell Welch
Thomas Bramwell Welch
BIRTH
31 Dec 1825
Glastonbury, Mendip District, Somerset, England
DEATH
29 Dec 1903
Vineland, Cumberland County, New Jersey, USA
OCCUPATION AND RESIDENCE
New Jersey dentist
SPOUSE(S)
Victoria C. Sherbume, Lucy Hult
1920's ad for Welch's
Alongside his dentistry career, Dr. Thomas B. Welch served as a Communion steward at the First United Methodist Church of Vineland, NJ.
Alongside his dentistry career, Dr. Thomas B. Welch served as a Communion steward at the First United Methodist Church of Vineland, NJ.
Because of an alchoholism epidemic during the 1800's, Welch made it his mission to find a substitute for communal wine. At the time, there was no way to store grape juice for long enough periods of time.
Because of an alchoholism epidemic during the 1800's, Welch made it his mission to find a substitute for communal wine. At the time, there was no way to store grape juice for long enough periods of time.
First United Methodist Church of Vineland, NJ
In 1869, Welch invented a pasteurization method that allowed him to make grape juice. He marketed it as a substitution for wine and began selling "Dr. Welch's Unfermented Wine."
In 1869, Welch invented a pasteurization method that allowed him to make grape juice. He marketed it as a substitution for wine and began selling "Dr. Welch's Unfermented Wine."
Despite not initially taking off, Welch did not give up. After rebranding to "Dr. Welch's Grape Juice." The juice was debuted at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.
Despite not initially taking off, Welch did not give up. After rebranding to "Dr. Welch's Grape Juice." The juice was debuted at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.
Welch's Now
Welch's Now
A few years after Dr. Welch's death, Welch's was producing one million gallons of juice annually, and by 1913, its revenue surpased $2 million. Today, Welch's boasts a variety of products along with its iconic grape juice. These include fruit snacks, gummies, and jam.
Welch's was purchased by The National Grape Cooperative Association and has over 10,000 acres of family-owned farms where the grapes and other fruits are harvested.
In May of 2024, Chef Gordon Ramsey was assigned the role of Chief Fruit Officer. He endorsed Welch's and the use of whole fruit as the primary ingredient in their fruit snacks.
Top left: 1948 Welch's ad for orange marmalade
Top right: 1960's Welch's Grape Juice bottles
SOURCES:
"Gordon Ramsay Becomes First-Ever Welch’s® Fruit Snacks Chief Fruit Officer." (May, 2024.) PIM Brands Inc. https://pimbrands.com/news/gordon-ramsay-becomes-first-ever-welchs-fruit-snacks-chief-fruit-officer-underscoring-brand-commitment-to-using-whole-fruit-as-its-main-ingredient/
"Gordon Ramsay Becomes First-Ever Welch’s® Fruit Snacks Chief Fruit Officer." (May, 2024.) PIM Brands Inc. https://pimbrands.com/news/gordon-ramsay-becomes-first-ever-welchs-fruit-snacks-chief-fruit-officer-underscoring-brand-commitment-to-using-whole-fruit-as-its-main-ingredient/
Iovino, Joe. "Communion and Welch's Grape Juice." (June 28, 2016.) UMC
Iovino, Joe. "Communion and Welch's Grape Juice." (June 28, 2016.) UMC
"National Grape Co-operative." Encyclopedia. Date Accessed February 13, 2025. https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/national-grape-co-operative-association-inc
"Our Story." Welch's. Date Accessed February 12, 2025. https://www.welchs.com/our-story/
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