Pure Prairie Poultry Launches New Retail Brand

It's been just shy of two years since the Midwest's premium chicken newcomer, Pure Prairie Poultry™, purchased a state-of-the-art chicken processing facility in Charles City, Iowa, that showcased its air-chilled technology. Now, its launched its charter retail brand, named after the company—Pure Prairie Poultry™, emphasis on "pure." Initially offered at more than 50 locations across Coborn's, Cashwise, and Marketplace stores in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, the company has big plans to grow throughout the Midwest and beyond...

Minerva Foods' Acquisition of Marfrig's Plants to Expand its Capacity by About 44%

Minerva Food’s acquisition of most of Marfrig’s cattle slaughtering and deboning plants in South America will expand its capacity by about 44%, according to the company. Prior to the $1.54 billion deal, which was announced Monday, Minerva Foods could process 29,540 head of cattle per day. 

After Brazilian meatpacker Marfrig sold 16 of its slaughtering plants to its rival Minerva, Minerva's cattle slaughtering and deboning capacity swelled to 42,439 head per day. This will result in an excess of Brazilian real (BRL) 50 billion to the company's current...

Maryland Governor Announces Hahn’s of Westminster Expansion, Bringing New Jobs to Carroll County

Governor Wes Moore today announced that Hahn Bros., Inc., also known as Hahn’s of Westminster, is growing its headquarters and manufacturing operations in Carroll County with plans to double its workforce in the region. The company has purchased 10 acres of land at the corner of Maryland 482 and Panther Drive in Hampstead, where it plans to move and build a new 54,000 square-foot facility.

“Hahn’s is not only known for its outstanding food products, but also for its excellent customer service over the years...

BAADER Acquires Majority Stake in Food Processing Software Company

Food processing machinery giant BAADER has acquired a majority stake in EMYDEX Technology, a company involved in software solutions in the same sector.

Specifically, EMYDEX creates scalable Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software for the food processing sector.

“Combining the strengths of both companies will mean enhanced digital capabilities for BAADER and accelerated growth and market reach for EMYDEX,” BAADER said in a press release.

Petra Baader, CEO of BAADER Global SE, expressed her delight at the successful acquisition, stating, "This significant step promises to enhance our portfolio offerings...

Slaughterhouse Cleaning Crews Unionize at US Firm Fined for Hiring Kids

More than 200 workers who clean meat plants have unionized after their employer paid U.S. fines for hiring children to do dangerous jobs sanitizing slaughterhouses, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union said on Thursday.

The union said it now represents Packer Sanitation Services Inc (PSSI) employees who clean a Smithfield Foods plant in Mason City, Iowa, and a National Beef Packing Co plant in Liberal, Kansas.

The UFCW continues to organize at other facilities after the 220 PSSI employees...

USDA Launches Effort to Strengthen Substantiation of Animal-Raising Claims

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it is implementing a multi-step effort aimed at strengthening the substantiation of animal-raising claims. This action builds on the significant work USDA has already undertaken to protect consumers from false and misleading labels and to implement President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American economy.

“Consumers should be able to trust that the label claims they see on products bearing the USDA mark of inspection are truthful and accurate,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA is taking... 

AAMP Welcomes Kentucky Association Of Meat Processors As State Affiliate

The American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP), North America's largest meat trade association, welcomes the Kentucky Association of Meat Processors (KAMP) as its newest state affiliate. AAMP now has 30 state and regional associations among its affiliates.

“KAMP was formed to create a network of meat processors operating in Kentucky to allow for better communication of information pertinent to our industry, the open exchange of ideas and challenges, and closer ties between processors. KAMP will work to represent processors across the state in helping solve issues that face the industry,”...

NW Natural Begins Producing RNG at Second Tyson Foods Facility

NW Natural, a subsidiary of NW Natural Holding Company, and BioCarbN, a developer and operator of environmental infrastructure projects, began production at a second renewable natural gas (RNG) facility, as part of an innovative project partnership with Tyson Foods.

The facility is located in Dakota City, Nebraska, with NW Natural investing approximately $12 million to convert methane captured from the facility’s operations into RNG to heat homes and businesses. The first project began at Tyson’s Lexington, Nebraska operations in January 2022...

Post Holdings’ Michael Foods Business Announces Expansion of Norwalk, Iowa Manufacturing Facility

Post Holdings, Inc, a consumer packaged goods holding company, announced expansion plans for its Michael Foods manufacturing and distribution facility in Norwalk, Iowa.

The 150,000 square-foot facility, which processes eggs and precooked egg products, opened in 2019. The expansion will add approximately 132,000 square-feet and is expected to create an estimated 186 new jobs. Construction is expected to begin in July 2023 with targeted completion in December 2024.

“We are excited our continued growth led us to seek expansion in Norwalk...

USDA Announces Funding Availability to Expand Meat and Poultry Processing

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of up to $125 million through two new grant programs that will create more options for meat and poultry farmers by investing in independent, local meat and poultry processing projects that increase competition and enhance the resiliency of the food supply chain.

These new grant programs, the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program and the Local Meat Capacity Grant Program, are part of the broader $1 billion American Rescue Plan investment by the ...

$3.4 Million in Matching Grants Will Help SC Beef Processors Expand, Create Opportunities for Farmer

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture is awarding a total of $3,471,088 in matching grant funding to eight South Carolina companies to help them expand their beef processing capacity.

Together, these small-facility expansions will increase South Carolina’s processing capacity by 8,300 head of cattle per year, creating new jobs and strengthening the local food system.

With an estimated economic impact of $3,500 per head, the expansions will keep approximately $29 million of economic activity in South Carolina that would...

USDA Announces More Than $43M Investment in Meat and Poultry Processing Research, Expansion and More

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today an investment of more than $43 million in meat and poultry processing research, innovation and expansion in support of its ongoing efforts to transform the food system at every stage along the supply chain. This investment is funded through the American Rescue Plan and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).

As part of this total investment, the University of Arkansas was awarded a $5 million grant from the AFRI Center of Excellence...

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Actions, Investments to Create Fairer Markets, Lower Prices

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $89 million across the country (PDF, 160 KB) to finance the startup and expansion of independent meat processors. USDA also announced initial steps the Department is taking to create a more competitive marketplace for seeds and other agricultural inputs.

The $89 million of investments announced today support the Biden-Harris Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain, which dedicates resources...

Farmer Focus to Expand Processing Capabilities with a $3.6 Million Grant from USDA

Farmer Focus, the only 100% USDA organic and Humane Certified® chicken company with a mission to promote and protect generational family farms, is proud to announce that it is the recipient of a $3.6 million grant issued as part of the second round of the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). The grant will support a $17.8 million expansion of Farmer Focus’ existing organic chicken processing facility (“Liberty”) in Harrisonburg, VA. By almost doubling processing capacity over the next two years...

Biden-Harris Administration Invests $59 Million to Increase Independent Meat and Poultry Processing

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $59 million across the country (PDF, 153 KB) to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers and create jobs in rural areas.

The investments support the Biden-Harris Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain, which dedicates resources to expand independent processing capacity. As President Biden has highlighted, creating fairer markets...

Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Expand and Strengthen Local Meat Processing Capabilities Reintroduced

U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jim Baird (R-Ind.) and U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) plan to reintroduce legislation to support small meat and poultry processors. The bipartisan, bicameral Strengthening Local Processing Act will diversify and make the U.S. meat processing more resilient by giving local livestock and poultry producers more options will increase processing options for local livestock and poultry producers. The legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Angus...

Major Food Production Center & Cold Storage Facility to Open in Missouri

West Liberty Foods, a leading protein processor, is opening a new food production facility in Kansas City, Missouri, attached to a supporting cold storage facility to be developed by Vertical Cold Storage. The companies are expected to invest a combined $199.6 million and create 583 jobs in the region.

“Missouri is home to nearly 400 food companies, and we are excited to welcome West Liberty Foods and Vertical Cold Storage to our state’s robust food and agricultural network,” said Governor Mike Parson...

Tyson Foods to Create 400 Jobs at Caseyville Prepared Foods Plant

Tyson Foods has expanded its workforce projections for its Caseyville Prepared Foods facility, creating approximately 400 new team member positions to meet the growing demand for Hillshire Farm® and Jimmy Dean® grab-n-go snacking and breakfast items. This boost in facility team members is a result of the $180 million expansion currently in development. Seven state of the art production lines and 270,000 square feet will be added to the existing Caseyville facility to increase automated warehousing and robotics...

USDA Announces Major Program Improvements, Progress, and Investments to Benefit American Farmers

Today, at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several major developments at the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will benefit farmers, ranchers and producers across the nation.

“At USDA, our goal is to provide all farmers, including new and underserved producers, with the opportunity to receive the assistance they need to continue farming, to build and maintain their competitive-edge, and to access more, new, and better markets,” said Vilsack, who spoke at the American Farm Bureau Federation...

USDA Making $12 Million Investment in Meat and Poultry Processing

USDA is investing more than $12 million to expand independent meat and poultry processing capacity in Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota. Vilsack announced that Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program grants will help fund the following projects:

In Ohio, International Food Solutions Inc. is receiving $9,575,250 to help redevelop and expand a vacant building in Cleveland into a plant with the capacity to process 60 million pounds of poultry. The expansion will include cold and dry storage and two processing lines...

Wholesome Foods Expands USDA-Inspected Meat Processing Facility

Wholesome Foods' meat-processing operation soon will undergo a major expansion, thanks in part to funding assistance from the state and Shenandoah County.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) announced the expansion on Thursday in a press release. He said the project will create 12 new jobs and represent nearly $1.2 million of new investment at the long-standing, family-owned-and-operated food distribution company.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with Shenandoah County and the county Industrial Development Authority to win the project. Youngkin approved a $40,000 grant from the...

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Announces $1.58 Million PA Farm Bill Grants To Help Small Processors

Today, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Cheryl Cook announced recipients of $1.58 million in 2022-23 Very Small Meat and Poultry Processors Reimbursement Grants. The grants, awarded to 20 processors in 15 counties, were created under the historic PA Farm Bill in 2019 build small businesses' capacity to meet demand for local foods.

"This crucial grant helps small processors feed local demand," said Cook. "We saw vividly during the pandemic that shorter supply chains not only give customers the local products they crave, but help small...