By Jennifer Holton
During its regularly scheduled meeting, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development voted to approve a $250,000 Food and Agriculture Investment Program (FAIP) grant to Peterson Brands LLC.
This grant money will be used as part of the $30 million project for the installation of production facilities including new juice line equipment, a storage facility, and renovation of the current facility. Additionally, Peterson Farms expects the addition of their juice production facility in Michigan will reduce transportation-related emissions and costs due to the decreased distance between the production site and the market. Additionally, the company has implemented more sustainable energy practices at their Shelby location in Oceana County, which positively affects the environmental impact of juice production. This overall project will create 82 new jobs.
"This project, through Peterson Farms long-standing prioritization of Michigan sourced fruit, is further commitment by the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration to support Michigan farmers through investments in local supply chains," said Tim Boring, Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. "The Food and Ag Investment Program benefits local food and agriculture businesses, increases economic opportunity for local farmers, and creates jobs in surrounding communities."
Peterson Farms was founded in 1984 as a tart cherry processor. With a focus on quality and customer satisfaction, the company expanded to process other commodity crops such as asparagus, apples, sweet cherries, blueberries, and peaches, and today is a leading marketer of fresh sliced apples, applesauce, and frozen fruits across the United States.
In August of 2024, Peterson Farms acquired King Brands which became Peterson Brands, LLC. The acquisition of King Brands, renowned for its high-quality fruit products and strong distribution network, significantly expands Peterson Brands product portfolio and new market reach. Through the processing expansion made possible by the FAIP investment, that new demand will be met by Michigan growers.
"Peterson Farms is appreciative that MDARD has partnered on a project that delivers value to several stakeholders in the agriculture and rural community sector," said Richard Rafaelli, Peterson Brands, LLC s Chief Operating Officer. "The project will provide a positive economic impact to Michigan's apple and cherry farmers and the new jobs created will further support Oceana County communities."
FAIP plays a crucial role in Michigan s economic development. It is specifically designed to provide financial support for projects that expand food and agriculture processing, fostering growth in the industry and bolstering Michigan s economy. The selection of projects is based on their potential to impact the overall agriculture industry as well as food and agriculture growth and investment in the state.
Source : michigan.gov