“Even though Cook County has a strong and diverse industry base, our agricultural roots continue to grow strong. We are thrilled that Grimmway Farms has chosen Cook County, as the location for its facility in the Southeastern U.S.”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, center, was joined by Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black, right, and Grimmway Farms President CEO Jeff Huckaby at the opening of the Grimmway Farms facility in Cook County.
Grimmway Farms President and CEO Jeff Huckaby was joined by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black, along with local community and business leaders for the official opening of the company’s Southeast Regional Packing Facility and Warehouse in Sparks, located in Cook County.
Family-owned and headquartered in Bakersfield, California, the new Grimmway Farms facility in Cook County represents a $5 million capital investment and approximately 50 seasonal jobs, in addition to four permanent full-time positions.
Huckaby said the company’s production of carrots has predominantly been in California and the Georgia location will allow Grimmway Farms the opportunity to expand its operation to customers on the east coast.
“At Grimmway Farms, we are always looking for fertile regions to grow carrots and further develop our year-round program,” Huckaby said. “We found Cook County to be a great location to expand our operations. We are committed to providing customers with unparalleled service and this new packing facility in Sparks will allow us to load six days a week from February to May, ensuring timely delivery to our regional customers.”
Perdue, who toured the Grimmway Farms facility in Bakersfield in November, said the company is an excellent addition to Georgia’s robust agricultural industry.
“This is a company with good core values and strong moral values,” said Perdue, who served two terms as governor of Georgia. “Grimmway Farms is a major food producer across the United States. They are a first class company where the public health and safety of their customers and employees is paramount.”
With agriculture reigning as the No. 1 industry in Georgia, Black agrees that Grimmway Farms is a welcome addition to the state.
“With further processing of raw agricultural products historically lacking in the Southeast, Georgia is honored to be home of this unique facility which has the potential to have significant impacts on our rural and agricultural economies in both the state of Georgia and the entire Southeast,” Black said.
According to Lisa Collins, executive director of the Cook County Economic Development Commission, the new facility is a welcomed addition.
“Even though Cook County has a strong and diverse industry base, our agricultural roots continue to grow strong. We are thrilled that Grimmway Farms has chosen Cook County, as the location for its facility in the Southeastern U.S.,” Collins said. “Our local leadership looks forward to a long-term partnership with Grimmway Farms, and continues to be committed to developing an environment that fosters job growth, capital investment, and improved quality of life.”