Pioneer Of Raw Pet Food Passes
GREEN BAY, WI (June 16th, 2016) – Mr. Gerry Nash, considered by most as one of the original pioneers of raw pet food manufacturing in the United States, has passed away. Gerry was instrumental in developing the raw pet food category within the pet food industry.
Several of today’s most prominent raw pet food brands were inspired or assisted in various ways by Mr. Nash and his frozen raw meat diet concept. Nash provided raw meat diets for zoos, wildlife parks and discerning pet parents all across the United States for more than 45 years. He embarked on his career in the pet industry in 1968 in Amarillo, Texas. Gerry was a pilot and in the earlier days, would fill his Piper Cub with frozen pet food and fly around the country, marketing his product to zoos, wildlife parks, feed stores and just about anyone who would welcome him and his novel meat products. In efforts to perfect his raw meat diet, he collaborated with Jack Hanna on several projects and worked closely with distinguished animal nutritionist, Dr. Richard Patton.
Throughout the course of his career, he owned and operated raw pet food manufacturing facilities in Texas, Florida, Wyoming and Wisconsin. Nash’s final career stop landed him in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he founded Green Bay Pet Food Company in 1998. He operated and led the company until 2009, when he teamed up with Lanny Viegut, who joined him as a shareholder and CEO of the company. Later that year, Vital Essentials was launched and introduced to the market and has since become one of the premier brands in the frozen and freeze-dried pet products sector. Nash retired in 2011. He remained a shareholder until 2012, when he sold the assets of Green Bay Pet Food Company to Carnivore Meat Company, completing the final stage of his exit plan.
During his retirement he spent much of his time with his wife, Judy, their children and grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing for bass and muskies on his pond and watching wildlife in the backyard of his home in rural Kewaunee, Wisconsin. In the last year, Gerry endured some very tough health challenges, which limited him in many ways. Gerry Nash passed away peacefully on May 26, 2016. A small family service was held in his honor and memory at his home in Kewaunee. Gerry’s legacy continues to live on within the fabric of Vital Essentials and Carnivore Meat Company.
About Vital Essentials®
Vital Essentials, maker of the ALPHA Prey-Model Diet, is the most tenured RAW pet food producer in the nation, providing RAW pet nutrition since 1968. The family owned company located in Green Bay, WI, manufactures high quality RAW frozen and freeze-dried pet food, snacks and treats. Sourced, made and packaged in the USA, every Vital Essentials product stands up to the same promise – Purely RAW, Instinctively Healthy.