Special to the
Opelika Observer
Golden State Foods (GSF), one of the largest diversified food processors and distributors in the foodservice industry, held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for their newest meat processing plant last week in Opelika. The 165,000 sq. ft. LEED Certified processing plant has an annual production volume of approximately 170 million pounds of protein products. The Opelika location is GSF’s first fresh beef processing plant, with six frozen and five fresh patty lines dedicated to burger patties. The expansive facility services six McDonald’s distribution centers and 2,900 McDonald’s restaurants throughout the Southeast, as well as four Nestlé manufacturing facilities. The plant’s opening has created more than 200 jobs for the local Opelika community.
“The opening of our new protein plant is a true milestone in GSF’s history,” Dr. Wayne Morgan, corporate vice president and president, protein products, Golden State Foods said. “The careful planning and design of this new building is centered on people, safety, sustainability, technology and innovation, and it continues our commitment to creating high-quality beef products for our valued customers. Overall, the central location of this facility in Opelika will allow GSF to better serve our customers, so that they can better serve theirs.”
“Golden State Foods began providing meat products to McDonald’s in the early 1950s, and it’s a true testament to our partnership that we’re here today, celebrating this new processing facility that provides us with both frozen and fresh beef, with fresh beef being a significant and positive change to our system,” said Ray Vargocko, director strategic sourcing – U.S. supply chain, McDonald’s. “We’re proud to bring our customers hotter and juicier quarter-pounder burgers, and we’re proud to continue our partnership with Golden State Foods.” GSF’s protein products division has been serving high-quality beef patties for over 65 years and continually leverages new technologies to provide its customers with the highest quality beef products at the best value.
About Golden State Foods
Golden State Foods is one of the largest diversified suppliers to the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry.
Established in 1947, the company is values-based with proven performance in superior quality, innovation and customer service throughout the QSR industry. With approximately 7,000 employees worldwide, GSF services more than 125,000 stores on five continents from its 50 facilities.
Its core businesses include processing of liquid products, protein, produce, dairy and full-line logistics services to the QSR and retail industries. The company also runs the GSF Foundation, a national non-profit organization to help children and families in need.
For more information, visit www.goldenstatefoods.com.