991062 Foster Farms Expands Fresno Processing PlantOctober 26, 1999Livingston, CA - Foster Farms announced it is expanding its Fresno, Calif., poultry processing plant at 2960 South Cherry Avenue adding 45,000-square feet to the existing 150,000-square foot facility and creating 200 new jobs. The $7.4 million project, now underway, will increase capacity for further-processed poultry products such as marinated and foodservice items. The project is scheduled to be complete in early 2000. “The expansion of the Fresno facility will allow Foster Farms to better meet the growing demand for further-processed chicken, the fastest-growing poultry segment in the market today,” said Paul Carter, president of Foster Farms Poultry Division. The expanded Foster Farms facility is expected to produce approximately 45 million pounds of further processed, value-added poultry products, an increase of 25% from its current production. The upgrade and expansion will enhance product handling and significantly increase the production, packaging, and storage areas. “This expansion is good news for the people of Fresno,” said Jim Patterson, mayor of Fresno. “The City of Fresno is enthusiastic about the positive, long- term economic impact Foster Farms continues to have on our community.” Upon completion of the expansion, 200 new production-related jobs will be added, bringing the total number of Foster Farms Fresno plant employees to more than 1,200. Foster Farms has operated the Fresno poultry processing facility since 1990, when it opened with 200 employees. “Much of the continued growth of the Fresno plant is attributed to the incredible workforce made up of people from our local Fresno community,” said Luis Miranda, Foster Farms Fresno Plant Manager. Family-owned Foster Farms, based in Livingston, Calif., is the largest poultry producer in the Western United States. This year marks the company's 60th anniversary. Foster Farms produces and delivers more than 750 million pounds of fresh chicken and turkey each year to retailers throughout the West.
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