South Asian yogurt manufacturer to open Frederick County facility

Desi Fresh Foods, a producer of Indian-style spoonable and drinkable yogurt products, is opening a new manufacturing facility in Frederick County, creating 56 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. 

The New York-based company will “invest a significant amount of money to open a new manufacturing facility,” according to a news release. Desi Fresh Foods and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership did not immediately return a request for comment on what amount company officials expect to spend.

The company is also committed to sourcing “a significant amount” of dairy ingredients from farmers in Virginia, according to the release. 

Patrick Barker, executive director of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority, said the Desi Fresh Foods facility will be located at Stonewall Industrial Park in Winchester.

“After an exhaustive search, we are thrilled to be opening our new facility in Northern Virginia,” Larry LaPorta, CEO of Desi Fresh Foods, said in a statement. “This move will not only allow us to streamline operations and increase production, but give us access to quality, essential ingredients that will help foster the growth of Desi Fresh Foods in the future and set us up for long-term success.” 

When Desi yogurt products were first created, according to the company’s website, if you visited an Indian grocery store in the United States, you would only find American style and brands of yogurt, which prompted the creation of Desi’s dahi, or South Asian yogurt. 

In 2018, Illinois’ Raymundo’s Food Group, a portfolio company of Florida’s AUA Private Equity Partners, purchased Desi Natural Dahi assets from Derle Farms, a New York milk and yogurt distributor. In 2023,  ICV Partners, a Miami- and Atlanta-based private investment firm, purchased Desi Natural and related assets from Raymundo’s Food Group.

Desi Fresh Foods’ product line also includes Desi Natural Paneer and Desi Natural Lassi and Yogurt Drinks.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with the Frederick County Economic Development Authority to secure the project for Virginia, which competed with Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Youngkin approved a $150,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund and a $150,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund to assist Frederick County with this project.  

Support for Desi Fresh Foods’ job creation will also be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a discretionary incentive program that provides free customizable workforce recruiting and training services for eligible businesses locating or expanding in Virginia