Food Processing

Idaho is one of the nation’s agricultural epicenters, with farmers in our state producing a significant portion of the food that hits plates across the country each day. The relationship we share with potatoes is well documented, but Idaho also produces the most trout of any U.S. state, and large amounts of peas, barley, hops, and hay. Much of this food makes its way across the country by way of the food processing facilities dotted across the region.

Gem County is an ideal location for food processing companies, thanks to our proximity to the fields and famers who produce thousands of metric tons of meat, produce, and dairy products. Farmers create working relationships with food processors, either directly or via a third party proxy. In turn, food destined for supermarket shelves across the globe heads to the processing facilities.

Food processors transform raw ingredients into shelf-stable foods sold in the nation’s supermarkets. Gem County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Foundation works to support the continued development of these important facilities, as a means of generating new economic growth in the region. In addition to the direct financial benefits these production centers generate, food processors serve as important clients for local agricultural groups and independent farmers. Encouraging the creation of more food processors in Gem County leads to a stronger market for local farmers, in turn spurring additional development within the agricultural realm.

Without adequate food processing facilities in our area, farmers would be unable to sell the fruits of their labor. These companies are an essential component in the supply chain, as they purchase the raw products and convert them into foods eaten by everyday consumers. Within food processing facilities, the ingredients are canned, jarred, and frozen for retail sale. Some food processors also combine various ingredients to create new products, such as industrial baking groups that turn raw wheat and sugar cane into pastries and donuts.

Although local buyers are often happy to purchase the homegrown foods found across Gem County, the consumer market only represents a sliver of the economic potential available to our local farmers. Food processors purchase massive amounts of the crops and products made throughout Gem County, and many of these facilities churn out thousands of individual products each day. These products then make their way through various distribution channels, before ultimately ending up in the shopping carts of consumers from Idaho all the way to the opposite corner of the globe.

Supporting and assisting in the development of food processing facilities allows us to ensure our farmers have opportunities to sell their crops and meat. Not only does supporting the creation of new food processors create economic stability for these producers, but it also spurs the further creation of farms in Gem County. This works to make us an even strong economic force in Idaho.