The legacy of master butcher and company founder Gustavus F. Swift began humbly with a $20 loan, courtesy of his father, to buy a neighbor's prized heifer. Buoyed by his dream to deliver the freshest, safest, highest-quality meats to customers across the country, he invented and patented the first refrigerated rail car. It would become a cornerstone of the 150+ year heritage of groundbreaking G.F. Swift innovations in meat quality, safety and processing. 1855 Brand premium meats pay homage to our founder and his heritage with a premier level of quality G.F. Swift would be proud of.