Mel Salomon, Meat Industry Hall of Fame member, dies at 100

Melvin Salomon, the former chairman of Allen Brothers and a member of the Meat Industry Hall of Fame, died on Tuesday, Sept. 16. He celebrated his 100^th birthday on March 7 of this year. Just last week, he gave a video introduction for the Class of 2014 inductees at the Hall of Fame dinner, held Sept. 13 in Charleston, S.C.

Melvin Salomon bought Allen Brothers Meat Company in 1938. He was president and chairman of Allen Brothers, (a nationally known wholesale meat company), for 61 years. He retired in 2001. Mr. Salomon was a founding father of the National Association of Hotel and Restaurant Purveyors, now known as NAMP. He was president of NAMP in 1965 and received the Angus Award, NAMP's higher honor. He was one of the primary developers of the Meat Buyers Guide in 1961. A half century later the Guide still serves as the premier resource for foodservice purchasing of meat cuts in North America and around the world.

He helped preserve the integrity of the USDA grading system by chairing an ad hoc coalition of purveyors, retailers, foodservice operators and members of academia to successfully defeat efforts by packers and USDA to change meat grading standards that would have lessened the quality of foodservice beef. In 2011, Melvin Salomon was inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame, joining other notables such as Ray Kroc, Donald Tyson, Frank Perdue, and Dave Thomas. He was a member of the Jewish Federation, chairman of the Chicago Jewish Charities and recipient of the Anti-Defamation League's Man of the year award.

Born in Chicago, Illinois March 7, 1914. Parents Sigfried and Camille Salomon died when Melvin was a young boy. Raised as a son by loving aunt and uncle, the late Charles and Erma Vogel. Beloved husband for 63 years to the late Darlene Mendelsohn Salomon; loving father of Lois Cole and Patty (Dr. Lawrence) Chapman; adored grandfather of Michael (Debbie) Cole, Lynn Cole, Debby Cole, Donnah (Heinz) Kloppenberg, Barry (Michelle) Chapman and Daniel (Amy) Chapman; proud great grandfather of Ryan, Brandon and Lexie Cole, Benjamin Kloppenberg, Julia, Ian, Elena, Jesse and Michael Chapman; dear brother of the late Bernice Salomon Levy; special uncle of Larry (Ellen) Greenberg; loving partner of Harriet Hatoff. Cryptside service Sunday, 2:00 p.m. at Oak Woods Mausoleum, 1035 E. 67th St., Chicago. In lieu of flowers, contributions to a charity of your choice.

Source: Legacy.com

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The Meat Industry Hall of Fame was created in 2009 to enshrine the leaders and legends whose visions, skills, and dedication have shaped and sustained the meat and poultry industries.

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