We all know the story about Frosty, frolicking about town, only here long enough to have some fun. On this matchbook featuring Snoboy, we have a hard-working snow fellow, doing his assigned duty to bring you, the customer, the freshest and finest fruits and vegetables. Unlike Frosty, he's been on the job since 1925 when the Snoboy brand was created.
Way back in 1890, George Youell began selling fruit from a cart in Tacoma, Washington. By 1910, his operation had grown to become Pacific Fruit & Produce. While trying to expand his business by buying out another supplier, Youell's company ended up becoming part of Pacific Gamble Robertson in 1930. Since 1988, the company has operated as Amerifresh.
Created to promote Washington apples, Snoboy was once a little lumpier and wore a top hat. But being made of snow, he's been shaped and packed a little differently over the years. After only being seen in recent years on packaging going directly to the food service industry, Snoboy returned to the supermarket in 2014. Now shoppers can find his snowy, smiling face on all types of fresh produce, including mushrooms and watermelon.
As cute as he is, Snoboy had to share this matchbook with the old standby. Seriously folks, this is the name of a brand of canned foods- Standby.
The trademark expired in 1994; there is no current listing for Fine Foods, Inc. either. In other words, the old Standby has truly been canned.
Date: Mid-1970's, with a back striker.
Another version, with a front striker:
