The Hershey Company opened a new $300 million, state-of-the-art chocolate plant in West Hershey, PA, about two miles from its original plant. The 340,000-sq.-ft facility features proprietary automation integrated with the plant’s advanced IT system, which provides real-time diagnostics.
 
Cargill plans to construct a canola refinery at its Clavet, SK canola processing facility. The refinery is expected to be completed in time for the 2014-15 canola harvest. 
 
ConAgra Foods, Inc. is expanding its Russellville, AR facility to make Bertolli and P.F. Chang’s frozen meals. ConAgra Foods acquired the Bertolli and P.F. Chang’s Home Menu frozen meals businesses earlier this year. 
 
Pinnacle Foods Group plans to consolidate its Millsboro, DE pickle operations into its Imlay City, MI facility, investing $14.3 million for the expansion and creating 29 new jobs. 
 
Sugar Creek Packing Company will locate a manufacturing operation in the former Really Cool Foods production facility in Wayne County, IN. The protein processor plans to invest $28.5 million to expand and refurbish the 77,000-sq.-ft. facility.
 
United Natural Foods, Inc. plans to consolidate its four existing Denver-based distribution facilities into a new 535,000-sq.-ft. facility in Aurora, CO. The facility will feature approximately 160,000 sq. ft. of refrigeration and freezer space, including an expanded cold dock.