Homestead Creamery to expand Franklin County facility
Dairy products maker Homestead Creamery will carry out a $2.5 million renovation and expansion of its Franklin County production facility, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday. The company will build a new ice cream production room and install additional production and refrigeration equipment and freezers. The expansion is in response to growing customer demand for the […]
Performance Food Group promotes three executives
Goochland County-based Fortune 500 food products distributor Performance Food Group Co. promoted three senior leaders to executive vice presidents on Wednesday. Chief Information Officer Don Bulmer, Chief Human Resources Officer Erika Davis and General Counsel and Secretary Brent King became executive vice presidents of Performance Food Group. All three continue to report to the company’s [&[...]
Va. Food Industry Association taps new exec director
Melissa Assalone is the Virginia Food Industry Association’s new executive director, the Richmond-based association announced Wednesday. Assalone, who previously served as deputy legislative director in Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration, assumed the role on Monday. She succeeds Parker Slaybaugh, who is now Virginia’s chief deputy secretary of agriculture and forestry. “Meli[...]
Mondelez to create 80 jobs with $122.5M Henrico expansion
Chicago-based snack company Mondelez International Inc. will invest $122.5 million over three years to expand its bakery and build a sales fulfillment center in Henrico County, creating about 80 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. “Mondelez International’s long-term investment in Central Virginia is a testament to the region’s top-notch talent and strong business climate,”[...]
Sugar alternative company to create 64 jobs in Albemarle County
Virginia sugar alternatives company Bonumose Inc. will invest $27.7 million to expand in Albemarle County in a partnership with The Hershey Co. to research and develop reduced or zero sugar chocolate products, creating 64 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. Bonumose will move into 36,000 square feet in the former State Farm building to increase […]
Sauer Brands buys independent salsa brand
Richmond-based Sauer Brands Inc. is expanding into salsa with the acquisition of Frisco, Texas-based Mateo’s Gourmet Salsa, the company announced Thursday. Sauer Brands, which owns Duke’s Mayonnaise, The Spice Hunter, Kernel Season’s and its own line of spices and seasoning, did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. In July 2019, Charlotte, North Carolina-based […]
Italian meat company bringing 150 jobs to Rockingham County
Italian cured meats manufacturer Veronesi Holding S.p.A., a Gruppo Veronesi company, will invest approximately $100 million to establish its first U.S. production facility in Rockingham County, creating an estimated 150 jobs over the next four years, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. The facility will be located on 75.8 acres in the Innovation Village @ Rockingham […]
Harrisonburg’s Farmer Focus hires CFO, R&D head
Harrisonburg-based Farmer Focus has hired Debarshi Sengupta as chief financial officer and Sean McLendon as head of research and development, it announced on Aug. 26 and Sept. 9. “Debarshi is an instrumental hire to guide our future, creating a strategic path forward to plan and resource our tremendous growth,” Farmer Focus president and Chief Operating […]
Mars Inc. acquires healthy snack company
McLean-based global food product manufacturer Mars Inc. announced Tuesday it has acquired healthy snack manufacturer Kind North America. Transaction details were not disclosed. Mars is the largest private company in Virginia. With annual sales of more than $35 billion, the candy and food manufacturer produces brands such as Snickers, M&Ms and Pedigree pet foods. Founded […]
McLean-based Mars Inc. to change Uncle Ben’s rice brand
After weeks of racial inequity protests and the removals of Confederate monuments across the United States, McLean-based global food product manufacturer Mars Inc. announced Wednesday it is “evaluating all possibilities” for changing the branding on its Uncle Ben’s rice products. Uncle Ben’s has been branded with an image of a black man since 1946, according […]