Chaucer Foods to establish new processing plant in Oregon

Chaucer Foods, a US-based freeze-dried foods manufacturer, has outlined plans to establish a new food processing facility in Forest Grove, Oregon.

To be located in an 85,000ft² area, the plant will feature advanced technology, and will initially focus on the production of freeze-dried fruit.

Slated for completion by September 2014, the project will create up to 73 jobs, and allows the company to strengthen its position in the freeze-dried ingredients segment.

Chaucer Foods president Andy Ducker said that the company looks forward growing its business in Oregon, which it would not be able to do without access to the affordable financing provided through the federal and Oregon New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) programmes.

"These programmes enabled our expansion by filling a critical gap in the project’s financing and encouraged us to grow here in Oregon," Ducker added.

The company harvests some of its own raw materials, and imports the remaining from its growing locations across the world.

The project is supported by Stonehenge Community Development, in partnership with Wells Fargo Community Lending & Investment, with the assistance of $6m of federal NMTC allocation and $4m of Oregon NMTC allocation.

NMTC was established in 2000 with the aim of encouraging job creation and private sector capital investment in economically distressed communities.