Food Business News - June 12, 2018 - 10

well-run company with a solid customer
base that's earned consumer loyalty.
We're excited for Tecumseh to continue
to produce quality chicken while providing the business the scale and resources
it needs to continue growing. Customers
should continue to work with existing
contacts."
Tyson Foods isn't the only major U.S.
poultry processor focusing on organic
production. In April 2016, Pilgrim's
Pride Corp., Greeley, Colo., converted its
Sanford, N.C., manufacturing plant to
the processing of organic chickens. In

November 2016, the company invested
$350 million in the acquisition of the
GNP Co., a processor of organic and antibiotic-free chicken.
In a conference call on Feb. 18 of this
year to discuss the company's fiscal 2017
results, William W. Lovette, president
and chief executive officer of Pilgrim's
Pride, called the Sanford manufacturing
facility "one of the most profitable chicken plants in the whole United States."
"We're reaching the point, probably
in the next year to two years, where
we're going to have to perhaps make

another decision to increase our organic production, because we're going to
run up against supply and we're either
going to have to expand Sanford or
we're going to have to go either build
a greenfield or convert another operation," he said. "We haven't made that
decision yet, but I would say that decision is going to come out at us within
the next year or so."
Perdue Foods, a business unit of
Perdue Farms, Salisbury, Md., also grows
and processes organic chicken under the
Perdue Harvestland brand. FBN

Grocery Manufacturers Association names
gaming association president as new c.e.o.
WASHINGTON - Geoff Freeman will take
the helm of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (G.M.A.) as president
and chief executive officer on Aug. 1.
He will replace Pamela G. Bailey, who
announced her plans this past February to retire after 10 years leading the
G.M.A.
Mr. Freeman is the president and
c.e.o. of the American Gaming Association (A.G.A.), the trade association for
the U.S. casino gaming industry.
"Geoff has a proven track record of
building unity, creating successful engagement on complex issues and taking

people's daily lives," Mr. Freeman said.
a proactive approach to advocacy that
"I look forward to leading the
drives growth and expansion,"
development of strategies that
said William (Billy) Cyr, c.e.o.
firmly establish G.M.A. as an
of Freshpet, Inc. and head of
effective driver of growth and
the G.M.A.'s search committee.
collaboration in our industry."
Prior to joining the
Mr. Freeman joins the
A.G.A., Mr. Freeman worked
G.M.A. during a period of
as chief operating officer of the
turmoil. A number of the food
U.S. Travel Association.
and beverage industry's largest
"I've always been drawn
Freeman
companies have discontinued
to industries that have a close
their membership in the group,
connection to consumers
including the Campbell Soup Co., Nestle,
and am energized by the opportunity
Tyson Foods, Cargill, Dean Foods, Unileto play a role in driving the growth and
ver and others. FBN
evolution of one that is a vital part of

Coca-Cola looks to bring dairy innovation
to Canada through new facility
TORONTO - Coca-Cola Canada is investing
C$85 million ($65 million) to build a production facility in Peterborough, Ont.,
that is geared toward dairy innovation.
The plant, which is scheduled to be operating in the first quarter of 2020, will
produce fairlife Ultrafiltered Milk in fat
free, 2% white, 2% chocolate and whole
white varieties in 1.5-liter PET bottles,
as well as 2% white and 2% chocolate in
240-ml PET bottles, Coca-Cola said.
The production facility marks the

Food Business News

company's first foray into the international market for its fairlife brand of products.
Shane Grant, president of the Canadian business unit of The Coca-Cola Co., said
the decision to build the dairy production
facility is a significant step in its journey
to become a total beverage company.
"We are listening to consumers and
evolving our business strategy to respond,"
Mr. Grant said. "We have launched an
unprecedented number of new products
into the Canadian market over the last 18

months, including smaller package formats
and new brands, such as Gold Peak, smartwater sparkling, Glaceau fruitwater, vitaminwater active, Peace Tea, and Powerade
Zero. Adding fairlife Ultrafiltered Milk to
our portfolio means we can offer Canadians more of what they are looking for -
products with less sugar, more functional
benefits and more natural ingredients."
Coca-Cola Canada said the plant will
be supplied with milk from local dairy
farmers in Ontario. FBN
June 12, 2018

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