Richard Marks, a leader and pioneer in the frozen food industry, entered the industry’s 2026 Hall of Fame last weekend in San Diego, California, surrounded by his family, including his wife Amy Haines, owner of the Out of the Fire restaurant.
Mark’s journey to the Hall of Fame began as a young man learning the frozen food business working for his father, Francis Marks, at their Paris Foods plant in Trappe, MD. The Paris Foods plant located on Ocean Gateway is one of those industrial facilities most people driving down Route 50 take for granted.
Headquartered in Trappe, MD, Paris Foods has a history dating back to 1945. The company has been an important business in Talbot County and Trappe for decades. It remains a longstanding pillar of the local industrial sector, supporting local causes such as the Talbot County Public Foundation. The company specializes in supplying frozen vegetables, fruits, potatoes, and legumes to the food service and industrial markets across the eastern seaboard and the Midwest.
While working in Trappe, Marks developed a deep appreciation and love for the Eastern Shore and never left. Over time, Marks ascended to become chairman of the board of Arbre Group Holding Corp., which today includes Paris Foods, Holli-PAC, and Sun Mark Foods.
Together with his family, Marks pioneered an innovative repack and distribution model for frozen vegetables. He was known for supporting friendly competition, startup companies, and mentoring the industry’s next generation.
Marks’ business savvy and outside-the-box thinking were evident during challenging times. Notably, he spearheaded the purchase of Chase Farms in Michigan at a critical point in the growing season, preserving hundreds of jobs, ensuring the crops were harvested, and honoring customer contracts.
Marks is proud of the company his family built, which today is a third-generation family-run enterprise managed first by his father, Francis Marks, then Richard Marks, and now by his son, Dylan Marks.
Since giving up management control to his son, Marks’ has focused his considerable energy, business skills and generosity on Talbot County, where he has, with his wife, Amy Haines, supported numerous community initiatives and nonprofits through the Dock Street Foundation; emerging organizations such as Talbot Thrives, which promotes healthy and safe mobility; as well as new businesses like Who Framed You, a new community frame shop; and a variety of other activities supporting the local arts community and business development projects.
Marks’ 2026 Hall of Fame induction, a prestigious honor recognizing lifetime achievement and industry leadership, was jointly selected by the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) and the Frozen Food Institute (AFFI)
Congratulations Richard. Well deserved. And thank you for all you have done for our community. It is greatly appreciated.
Cathie Liebl
Congratulations my dear friend. What a beautiful photo and a beautiful family. Talbot County is truly fortunate to have you and Amy here, giving so generously of yourselves to our community.
Gald to see you are being recognized for your contributions. Well done!
Nice Job Richard!! Your enthusiasm for every project you get involved with is infectious! Congrats!!!
Congratulations Richard. You and Amy contribute so much to our community.
It’s been wonderful to watch your journey over the last 45 years of our friendship.
As you said on your birthday, “Just getting started.”
I strongly echo both Cathy and Marty————-
Richard, you have done wonderful and most meaningful things for the ORDINARY PEOPLE of Talbot County———
Things you have finessed largely unasked and often behind the scenes ,,, and unrecognized,, (like air conditioning the Armory) have greatly enhanced the lives of all who live or visit here——-
Your kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity are to be loudly and publicly applauded ——-BRAVO
We are MOST GREATFULL to you———–and dear friend Amy as well———-Tra La
THANK YOU BOTH
Congratulations Richard ! Well earned and accomplished with major staying power and little fanfare like most of your achievements. You have the greatest impact and the lowest profile of any community leader I have known. Thank You!
Congratulations, Richard. It’s great to see you and your family together in celebration. You make Easton and Talbot County proud. We’re fortunate to have the advantages of your success and your largess.
Congratulations, Richard — what a wonderful achievement! As for this community you call home, we are still ever HOPEFULL, and always GRATEFUL!
Congratulations Richard! Your many critical and generous gifts to the residents of Talbot Countty have helped to make this place so beloved for those of us fortunate enough to live here. We also applaud your leadership and engagement in our civic affairs. Best wishes for continuing success.
Congratulations, Richard. A well deserved honor.
Well deserved…Congrats!
Richard, you are a “Hall of Famer” in every organization, project, and vision you support. Thank you for all you do!
Ahhh what a breath of fresh air…Congratulations Richard👌🏽You are a gem!
Congratulations, Richard…a well-deserved honor. Thanks to you and Amy for all you do for the community! ❤️
Very many congratulations to you both for your magnificent contribution to our lives here on the Eastern Shore.
The food industry is often forgotten for its key role in our country’s economy and well being.A very well deserved award.
Congrats Richard for this well deserved award and recognition. What a beautiful picture of you, Amy and children. We, at BAAM, know of your generosity and are thankful to have you and Amy as friends. Again, congrats my friend!!
Richard has welcomed Judy & me into this community in numerous ways, and we so appreciate your generosity and fun spirit. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, and thank you for all your contributions to Easton and Talbot County.
Yes, everyone has said it all very well! Just adding my congratulations, Richard!
I have always admired you,Richard, for all you do for our community! And you do it in such a quiet, anonymous way! You and Amy are ones who make this place such a great place to live! Thank you for your generosity!
Congratulations Richard, what an honor for you and your family. Thank you!!
Congratulations Richard on receiving this recognition and for the distinguished achievements for which you are honored.
To all:
Your congratulations and generous words warm my heart and soul. I am truly blessed and thankful everyday to live here and be engaged with all of you in so many endeavors upon which we all benefit. Let us look forward to facing new challenges and many more projects together.
To those who shared my journey in the frozen food business and followed my leadership, sometimes just on faith, deserve my deepest appreciation for their support and trust in my passion and commitment to our company and all whom we served.
And to Amy, Arielle, Dylan, Gregory and Anna, you are my breath of fresh air and joy when most needed.
Richard
Richard – congratulations! You are such a great leader, supporter, friend and mentor. I’m proud to have been on your team. Bravo!
Richard:
I add my sincerest congratulations to you at this time. I appreciate all that you have done for this community over time. But, I must include a specific thank you, to you, and Amy for all the assistance you have provided to the veteran community over the years. Many things, both large and small, but all of them very meaningful.
Best to you my friend.
Excellent recognition of a life well lived, Richard. You made a pronounced contribution in your industry, and you are making an equally pronounced contribution to improving our community. Congratulations.
How wonderful! Congratulations Richard 🎉 Love the family picture 🌟
Richard, congratulations on receiving this latest recognition. In your own unassuming way you remain an absolute treasure to this community and region and state. Thanks for all you do.
Have been away and from my Talbot Spy but alas, this honorarium has been forwarded to me by A LOT of mutual friends – all of which share our affection for you, your family and business. It will continue to be a pleasure to promote our great TALBOT COUNTY with you!
Well deserved, Richard. Congratulations.
Congrats Richard! Easton and Talbot County are very grateful to you and your family. I loved reading this and getting to know you these past few years in Talbot Thrive.
what a wonderful thing. congratulations!!