KINGSPORT, TENN. — Pure Foods, a company that makes nutrient-dense and reduced-fat snack foods for distribution in Canada, Mexico and the United States, has opened an 88,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at Gateway Commerce Park in Kingsport.
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| John Frostad, president and c.e.o. of Pure Foods |
“Today marks an exciting new chapter for Pure Foods with the opening of this flagship venue,” said John Frostad, president and chief executive officer of Pure Foods. “This is a one-of-a-kind facility, built to handle novel ingredients and deliver smart, delicious snacks. We look forward to the opportunities this location affords us for providing healthier snack choices to North American consumers.”
Pure Foods said it uses “high-quality, carefully sourced, non-G.M.O. ingredients,” and the new Kingsport location is expected to offer industry-unique techniques and technologies that allow for the integration of fresh fruits and vegetables into snack forms, preserving up to 95% of nutrient value while reducing food waste, cost and overall impact on the environment.
In addition to the facility opening, Pure Foods announced it has acquired — under license — the Guiltless Gourmet brand of baked tortilla chips from the Manischewitz Co., Newark, N.J. The acquisition complements Pure Foods’ family of gluten-free, non-bioengineered verified snacks, the company said. Pure Foods sells products under the Chicpea & Lentille brand.
The Kingsport facility represents a $22 million investment in the community, including $15.5 million in equipment and $6.5 million in the building and land — 35 acres in all, providing room to grow.
“There’s a sizeable and rapidly evolving market for healthier, nutrient-dense snacks,” Mr. Frostad said. “It’s exciting to know that in Kingsport, we have a versatile facility that meets this growing demand and equips us to look ahead to future trends. We’re delighted that our operations are now at home in such a welcoming region, and we look forward to continued growth and success.”
