Columbia River Smoked Salmon
Rich, smoky salmon inspired by the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest.
Company Lore
Born in Astoria. Closed in 1973. Reissued for the road.
Red Fox Canning Co. began as Halvorsen & Reed Packing Works in 1927, serving Columbia River crews with salmon, beans, stew, and shelf-stable food that could survive a wet dock, a logging camp, or a truck cab.
The fox mark arrived in 1931, after a red fox the workers called Rusty became the shop's unofficial mascot. By the mid-century peak, the fox carrying a GOOD FOOD can had become the company's most recognizable label.
A Short History of Red Fox
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The Packing Works Opens
Norwegian-American fisherman Nils Halvorsen and grocer Thomas Reed open a small packing house near the Astoria docks. Their first cases carry Columbia River salmon, baked beans, and beef stew.
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Red Fox Gets Its Name
Rusty, a fox known for appearing beside the night shift, inspires a new company name and the hand-drawn fox-and-can trademark.
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The Long Road Years
Red Fox provisions reach logging camps, coastal stores, and highway truck stops across the Pacific Northwest. “Packed for the Long Road” becomes the company slogan.
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A Familiar Shelf Mark
At its peak, the cannery employs 86 workers and ships four signature labels throughout Oregon and Washington.
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The Cannery Closes
Rising costs and a changing waterfront bring the final packing season to a close. The labels survive in tackle boxes, cupboards, and local paper collections.
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The Archive Returns
Red Fox is reimagined as an archive brand, carrying the old dockside spirit onto shirts, caps, patches, and printed goods.