According to Matt Evers, facility operations manager for Van Drunen, the company purchased the building in Crown Point, IN this spring and has begun developing it to add it to its roster of food processing sites. The company currently operates plants in Illinois, Wisconsin and Europe.
Expanding operations
The project, once complete, is expected to create 26 new full-time jobs with benefits.
The manufacturer has approached the Crown Point City Council to seek a resolution designating the property as an economic revitalization area. The measure would enable Van Drunen to seek a personal property tax abatement on the approximately $5 million in equipment needed to start the facility.
Natural ingredients
Van Drunen Farms is a grower and primary processor of culinary, all-natural and functional food ingredients. Evers said the company’s wares are sold as ingredients to other companies for retail food items, such as soups and mixes, confections, baby food and breakfast cereals.
The company sources the items its process from its 1,200 acres of farmland (500 organic and 700 conventional). The firm also states it is the largest supplier of organically grown culinary herbs in the US.