La Quercia

La Quercia is a distinguished American producer of cured meats, founded in 2005 by Herb and Kathy Eckhouse. Their mission is to craft premium-quality charcuterie, such as prosciutto and pancetta, using responsibly sourced ingredients and proprietary recipes.

Their inspiration came from over three years spent living in Parma, Italy, where they witnessed firsthand how high-quality ingredients are transformed into exquisite local cured meats. The pork used by La Quercia comes from sustainable farms, primarily raised and processed within 200 miles of their facility.

They use organic spices whenever possible and source sea salt from the United States. Their first production facility was built with energy-efficient materials and environmentally friendly refrigerants. In 2009, they expanded their aging space, incorporating high-density, ozone-friendly polyurethane foam insulation and a heat recovery system from refrigeration compressors.

Additionally, they installed high-efficiency fluorescent lighting and an on-demand water heating system. Their landscape is designed with low-maintenance prairie grasses, native flowers, and oak trees, while their packaging incorporates several measures to reduce waste and emissions.