In a move aimed at appealing to customers who prefer locally grown products, Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (NYSE:PPC), in partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is introducing “Fresh from Florida” chicken at several retailers in the state.
All “Fresh from Florida” chicken is raised by local Florida farmers and processed at the Pilgrim’s Pride facility in Live Oak FL. This partnership allows Florida consumers the opportunity to “buy local.” Purchasing chicken raised and processed in Florida ensures a sustainable processing model, reducing the distance that fresh food items travel from farm to table, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Jerry Wilson, Pilgrim’s Pride executive vice-president of sales and marketing, expects total volume for the “Fresh from Florida” product to be more than 60 million pounds in the first year.
The “Fresh from Florida” collaboration also brings job creation and local economic investment to Florida. Pilgrim’s Pride hired 250 employees to add a second shift in Live Oak so it could meet anticipated demand for the “Fresh from Florida” chicken. The company has made commitments to the state of Florida on future staffing levels and capital investment in Suwannee County. State incentives to support this job-creation opportunity total $500,000. Under terms of the agreement, the company will maintain at least 1,175 jobs at the Live Oak complex for a five-year term beginning December 31, 2011. Pilgrim’s Pride also agreed to create at least 35 net new jobs and invest $1.5 million in the facility by the end of 2011.
The “Fresh from Florida” logo is on produce and juices in seven Florida retailers, including Publix, Albertson’s, and Winn-Dixie. Since 2000, products with the logo have rung up more than $850 million in cash receipts for Florida farmers.
For more information, visit www.florida-agriculture.com/ or www.pilgrimspride.com.
