Greencore Group, an Ireland-based international manufacturer of convenience foods, will invest $5.75 million to establish its first Virginia food processing facility in Stafford County, creating 350 jobs.

The firm’s move will follow on its acquisition of the former Marketfare Foods, LLC. In addition to servicing Marketfare Foods' principal customer of 20 years, 7-Eleven, Greencore will also service a significant new contract from its Stafford County operation, Gov. Bob McDonnell’s Office said.

Gov. McDonnell said, "Last July I met with Greencore Group in Ireland to discuss the recent acquisition of Marketfare Foods and the potential to expand the operation in order to serve the company's newest significant contract from the Stafford County plant. Successfully competing for this project against other locations is a great testament to the opportunity Greencore sees for its Virginia operation to provide new capabilities in the fast-growing food-to-go category and extend the company's geographic footprint along the East Coast. We celebrate 350 new job opportunities and a resulting increase in volume for Virginia-grown produce that will greatly benefit the Commonwealth's agricultural producers in the region."

"Greencore is absolutely delighted to be making this investment in its facility in Stafford County," said Liam McClennon, CEO for Greencore USA. "Virginia offers an excellent environment for us to invest in further growth in our Fredericksburg plant. In addition to the skills and capabilities of our current workforce, Virginia offers us a great pool of talent to support our recruitment plans, as well as the availability of high quality local products and ingredients, which we can use in our finished products. Furthermore, the County offers business friendly policies and an excellent transport and logistics network, which is critical to the success of Greencore. I would like to thank the Governor and his team for their support and for making Greencore feel welcome in Virginia."

Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry said; "During meetings with Greencore officials in Ireland and Massachusetts last year, it became clear that the Greencore's expansion would benefit Virginia by creating more jobs at the facility and by generating more opportunities for our agricultural producers to supply the company. Greencore will be served well by expanding in Virginia and sourcing more high-quality Virginia grown products, such as cabbage, peppers, and other commodities from our outstanding family farmers."

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Stafford County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved $75,000 from the Governor's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund, a grant administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and made to businesses that add value to Virginia-grown agricultural and forestal products. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company's recruitment, training and retraining activities.