Specialty Snack Maker Red River Foods to Add $16.5M Plant in Virginia

The project will establish a warehouse and processing facility for tree nuts, seeds and dry foods and will create 60 new jobs.

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Red River Foods

RICHMOND, VA — Governor Ralph Northam announced July 19 that Red River Foods, Inc., a U.S. supplier of premium specialty snacks headquartered in Richmond, VA, will invest $16.5 million to establish a warehouse and processing facility for tree nuts, seeds, and dried fruits at 2840 Sprouse Drive in Henrico County. Virginia successfully competed with Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for the project, which will create 60 new jobs.

018297500“Red River Foods’ significant expansion speaks volumes about the business climate and top-notch talent in Central Virginia,” said Governor Northam. “Food and beverage processing is Virginia’s second-largest manufacturing sector and one of our fastest-growing industries. Red River Foods has been based in Richmond for 30 years, and the company’s continued success here is another important testament to the Commonwealth’s status as the best place to do business.” 

Headquartered in the City of Richmond, Red River Foods has established a global reach serving more than 350 companies with over 40 products sourced from 30 countries. With offices on five continents and more than 1,000 employees, the company has supplied quality tree nuts, seeds, and dried fruits to the bakery, dairy, confectionary, cereal, and snack food industries for more than 40 years. A vertically integrated company, Red River takes control of the supply chain from harvest to the hands of customers, maintaining strong relationships with farmers, processors, and customers to ensure a quality product that is ethically and sustainably grown.

“The Commonwealth’s food and beverage processing industry employs more than 42,000 Virginians and is a powerhouse for our economy thanks to investments by corporate partners like Red River Foods,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “The company’s commitment to quality and sustainability is commendable, and we are excited to welcome this new warehouse and processing facility to Henrico County.”

“We have called the Richmond region home since my father, Jim Phipps, moved the company from New York City to Virginia in 1991,” said Dan Phipps, CEO of Red River Foods. “Although we have experienced tremendous growth since that time, a majority of our personnel expansion has been concentrated in cashew-growing countries within Africa and Asia. Investing in Henrico County is further investment in our value chain. Creating valuable jobs here in our local community is one step further in connecting our farmers to our customers.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Henrico Economic Development Authority to secure the project for Virginia. Red River Foods is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The company is also eligible to receive benefits from The Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.

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