Chicopee Provision returns to kielbasa production

Date: 3/31/2020

CHICOPEE – The wait is almost over.

Chicopee Provision is now waiting for the final approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to resume the sale of the company’s iconic product Blue Seal kielbasa.

Gary Bernatowicz, the president of the company, said, “We get a negative response [which is what the company needs] and then we can roll.”

The company will then begin supplying the needs of retailers and consumers who want their regular kielbasa and its special Easter kielbasa.

Walking into the company’s building at 19 Sitarz Ave. the air is filled with the aroma of the sausage. Sitting on a cutting board in the upstairs office is a kielbasa sliced and ready for tasting. Hanging on walls on the upstairs office are photos with key moments in the company’s history, such as shots of various world’s largest kielbasa made for the former Kielbasa Festival in the 1980s.

Bernatowicz, and Gary Tanguay, the vice president and sales manager, explained to Reminder Publishing the last six months “has been rough” for the company now celebrating its 100th anniversary.

On Sept. 26, 2019, a water main broke in the basement of the facility, which damaged equipment that is essential in producing kielbasa and other meat products, such as hot dogs.

Bernatowicz noted there was 5 feet of water in the basement. He added the company’s insurance covered much of the cost of repairs, and there was much work to do in the building for the company’s staff.

He added with a smile, “The staff was tired of painting.”

The reaction from the public when they learned the company had to stop production was one of great support the two men said. Tanguay added, “Big Y stood shoulder to shoulder with us.”

In a written statement, the company said, “Chicopee Provision would like to thank Chicopee Mayor Vieau, Building Commissioner Carl Dietz, Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski, the USDA and their respective staff for the help and support through this trying time getting the facility back up and running. They would also like to especially thank all of their dedicated customers and employees who have shown tremendous support and so many good wishes.”

Getting back to production was “a long road with one setback after another,” said Bernatowicz. Tanguay said many stores had to find another supplier of kielbasa and it was a priority to “get those people back.”
Tanguay added, “We got an order from just about everybody.”

The company’s products have fans around the nation, but right now the company cannot fulfill mail order requests, Bernatowicz said.

The company will be selling directly to consumers from the plant, but the orders will be delivered to customers waiting in their cars due to the necessity of social distancing. For more information on placing orders call 594-4765.

The company was founded in 1920 when Stanley Sitarz, his brother Jacob, and a colleague named Bartlomiej Partyka joined together to make Polish style kielbasa and other meat products.

The company makes other products as well – hot and sweet sausage patties, blood sausage, Frankfurters and bologna – although production right not is focused on kielbasa. Bernatowicz said they have developed a cheddar cheese and jalapeño kielbasa as well.

The recipe for the signature kielbasa has not changed for the last century.

“You don’t mess with success,” Bernatowicz said.