Deli Star is moving its operations into a new-build, 110,000-square-foot processing facility in St. Louis, which will start construction this summer and is expected to open in early 2022. The company's operations were previously located in Fayetteville, Illinois—about 40 miles east of St. Louis. The company is expected to generate 500 new jobs and nearly $100 million in investment for the surrounding area. 

On our latest Cold Corner Podcast, Lauren Edmonds, newly elected president of the Refrigerated Foods Association (RFA) joins Editor-in-Chief Michael Costa to discuss the RFA’s plans for the coming year, plus how the pandemic is still affecting the refrigerated foods industry through price hikes and shortages on ingredients, a shrinking labor pool, and more. They also discuss Edmonds’ company, St. Clair Foods, and their move to an automated production facility.

Sandridge Food Corporation has been recognized by The Healthy Business Council of Ohio (HBCO) as a Platinum Award recipient for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to employee wellness through comprehensive worksite health promotion and wellness programs. Sandridge Food Corporation is one of only three other Northeast Ohio companies to achieve a Platinum-level recognition.

FiveStar Gourmet Foods is setting the trend by partnering with Beyond Meat to bring more salad protein choices to consumers. FiveStar, the nation’s premier salad brand, is introducing a new Simply Fresh Taco Salad made with Beyond Meat, featuring plant-based beef crumbles from Beyond Meat, a leader in plant-based meat. The new 7.5-oz complete salad recently debuted in Publix supermarkets. Available to retailers nationwide starting in January, the salad is just one of the many new product possibilities for the culinary giant.

Almark Foods and Michael Foods, a subsidiary of Post Holdings, announced that they have entered an agreement for the sale of Almark Foods. The transaction is set to be completed by Q1 of 2021.

FDA regulations to watch in 2021 for refrigerated foods manufacturers.

In 2014, Refrigerated Foods Association (RFA) proclaimed July as National Deli Salad Month. This designation has been officially recognized and established and each year, throughout the month of July, food manufacturers promote and feature such summer staples as potato salad, macaroni salad, dips, chilled desserts, protein salads, ready-to-eat sandwiches and more.