Chicken processor Farmer Focus unveils new packaging facility

Organic chicken company Farmer Focus has announced the opening of a new 78,000-square-foot packaging facility in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

The new plant will expand the company’s production capacity by up to 100% over the next two years, to a total of 650,000 birds weekly. The site includes cold storage space and shipping dock locations, which will help Farmer Focus to keep up with growing consumer demand.

The site will adhere to strict safety regulations, while leveraging technological packaging advancements. For example, JBT Spiral Freezers allow for more precise chilling of a product, while horizontal form filled seal packaging lines will increase efficiency.

Bob Bahr, vice president of operations at Farmer Focus, commented: “This new facility is a living example of Farmer Focus’ commitment to quality, innovation, safety and culture. From our technological and automation investments to our design decisions, we prioritised both production efficiency and plant employees’ safety and quality of life. That diligence shows every day on our production floor and speaks to a level of safety that, in my 40 plus-year career, I’ve only seen accomplished here at Farmer Focus.”

The plant has created 87 new local jobs with more expected in the coming months.