An investment of approx. $300 million in Waseca, Minn. the factory will modernize production capacities
CHICAGO, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), one of North America leading branded food companies, today announced the opening of its new state-of-the-art vegetable processing plant in Waseca, Minn. The new 245,000 square foot facility, which processes fresh vegetables to support Conagra’s frozen meals business and the Birds Eye brand, was built from the ground up with a focus on maximizing automation to creating greater efficiency and improving food safety everywhere.
“The significant investment in our new plant in Waseca is indicative of the strong opportunity we see in our frozen food business,” said Sean Connolly, President and CEO, Conagra Brands. “Conagra is committed to investing in innovation across the business, including our supply chain. We are also excited to invest in Waseca where Birds Eye has a long history.”
The peas and corn processed at the new facility come from a network of nearby growers who are using various actions to help fight climate change, such as smart practices to save water, support biodiversity and improve health soils. Conagra has invested in field technology to monitor plant nutrient needs using real-time data. This allows harvesting to be synchronized with the facility’s production schedule, so that vegetables are picked when fully ripe and transported directly to the new Waseca facility where they are received, washed and frozen in a few hours.
“Our teams reviewed every aspect of the facility to identify opportunities for automation to improve productivity and modernize food safety practices across our operations,” said Ale Eboli, Executive Vice President and Director of Supply Chain at Conagra Brands. “The facility’s state-of-the-art design and uniquely designed equipment processes fresh vegetables in the most efficient and responsible way possible.”
The new facility replaces a 92-year-old facility at Waseca and will provide around 20% more capacity for vegetable processing. On an annual basis, the facility can process and produce 120 million pounds of cut and cob corn, 45 million pounds of peas and over 20 million pounds of rice. Additionally, Conagra expects the new facility to use approximately 25% less water per pound of product manufactured than the company’s previous facility.
In fiscal year 2021, Conagra’s Birds Eye brand generated over $1.5 billion in retail sales. For more information about Conagra Brands, including the company’s innovative list of iconic and emerging brands, visit conagrabrands.com.
About Conagra Brands
Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: GAC), headquartered at Chicagois part of North America leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra The brands combine a rich heritage of making quality foods with a sharp focus on innovation. The company’s portfolio is evolving to meet people’s changing food preferences. Conagra’s iconic brands, such as Birds Eye®, Duncan Hines®, Healthy Choice®, Marie The caller®, Reddi-wip® and Slim Jim®, as well as emerging brands including at Angie’s® BOOMCHICKAPOP®, Duke’s®, Earth Balance®, Gardein®, and Border®, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com.
For all media inquiries, please contact:
Tim Wrona
Conagra Brands
(312) 549-5400
[email protected]
SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.