Food Processing Industry
Pennsylvania is home to a strong and diverse food processing industry. We are host to many large international food processing companies including Campbell’s Soup, H.J. Heinz, Kellogg’s, Kraft, M&M Mars, Quaker Oats, Starbucks Coffee, Hatfield Inc., Hershey Food Corp. and others. Though Pennsylvania has attracted the attention of major food processors, our industry cluster also includes many small and medium sized companies that manufacture high-quality products for markets in the U.S. and other countries throughout the world.
A Productive and Skilled Labor Force
Our state’s 2,300 food processing companies employ more than 85,000 workers. This accounts for approximately 1.7 percent of the state’s employment. Pennsylvania is one of the only states with major employment in most sectors of the food industry. Our labor costs are very competitive and our labor force is known for its outstanding work ethic.
Pennsylvania ranks tenth nationwide in university research and development. Our world-renowned universities are among the many sources helping to pioneer the food processing industry of today and the future.
Access to Raw Materials
Agriculture is our state’s largest industry, with 51,000 farms and 7.9 million acres in farmland. Pennsylvania is the fourth largest milk producing state. Our dairy processors, however, draw milk from other states making Pennsylvania the second largest fluid milk producer. Other dominant agricultural products are fruits and vegetables, poultry, eggs, and mushrooms.
For more information about the Food Processing sector in Pennsylvania please go to www.newPA.com.