Holic Foods announced plans to expand its Middletown, Ind., headquarters operation. The expansion includes building a new food production center and creating up to 42 new jobs by 2020.

The $2.1 million project will revitalize a 30,000-square-foot, vacant factory at 710 Norfleet Drive. The new building, which is scheduled to be operational in March, will be constructed to Safe Quality Food (SQF) Institute Level 2 certification standards, allowing Holic Foods to handle acidified and high-acid food products, what is dubbed as the only facility of its kind in Indiana.

With the addition of this new facility, Holic Foods will make its own brand products, serve as a co-packer and private label packager and provide thought-to-market consulting for food entrepreneurs.

“Holic Foods is joining a strong food movement in Indiana with great state and local support,” says Shari Nicholls, vice president of strategy and marketing. “Along with producing our naturally addictive products, we want to help Hoosiers realize their dreams of becoming food entrepreneurs. If they have a great recipe or food they want to get in stores, we can help. We are paving the way for fellow food entrepreneurs to navigate the environment, as well as providing a partnership to produce their amazing products to share."