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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Moon Ridge Foods Opens Pleasant Hope, Missouri, Processing Facility

08/01/2016
Moon Ridge Foods opened its processing facility in Pleasant Hope, Missouri. The company plans to hire 160 associates over the next two years.

The company invested and installed next generation equipment and technology into its 110,000 square-foot facility, which will process about 600,000 hogs annually once up and running. Production will begin ramping up in late August.

A farm-to-plate operation, Moon Ridge Foods will produce, process and market unique, highly differentiated, superior-quality pork products. The company combines progressive methods of production and processing and state-of-the art technology and information with uniquely artisan meat cutting.

“We want to create a company that sustains families and communities, throughout the value chain. It’s about farming and processing practices that are respectful to its workers, the welfare of the animals and enhance our natural resources,” said Russ Kremer, Co-founder/CEO of the company.

“Pleasant Hope is the best location in North America for Moon Ridge Foods,” Kremer said. “A strong labor supply and transportation infrastructure, close proximity to major consumer centers and an ideal environment for sustainable livestock production make it a great fit.”
It’s about farming and processing practices that are respectful to its workers, the welfare of the animals and enhance our natural resources Russ Kremer, Co-founder/CEO, Moon Ridge Foods

According to state officials, this will be the first U.S. pork processing plant to utilize snap chilling technology to boost shelf life, quality, processing and freshness while reducing energy use and its carbon footprint. In addition to energy efficiency technologies for production processes, the company plans to use renewable energy including solar and wind. Moon Ridge Foods’ leadership has a goal of being the most energy efficient, eco-friendly food production system in North America.

“Missouri’s agriculture industry, farmers, food sector, and consumers celebrate today, as this new facility is unveiled,” said Mike Downing, director of DED. “I am pleased to welcome Moon Ridge Foods to Pleasant Hope, where its investment and new jobs will make a huge impact in this community and the surrounding rural area, and further advance economic development in this key industry. Missouri has a long, rich history of feeding the world, and Moon Ridge’s expansion builds upon this tradition.”

The project’s primary funding was provided by the founding owners and the local Bank of Sullivan. Additional funding included Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing through Show-Me PACE. The Show-ME PACE’s program is administered by the non-profit Missouri Energy Initiative and is an open-market program that uses multiple lenders and has low-cost overhead. PACE uses private capital to pay for energy and water improvements to a property.

To assist Moon Ridge Foods with its expansion in Missouri, the Missouri Department of Economic Development has offered a strategic economic incentive package that the company can receive if it meets strict job creation criteria.

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