When OMP Foods, the parent company of Ozark Mountain Poultry, opens its new plant in Batesville, Ark., it will double its production from 1.5 million pounds to 3 million pounds of poultry per week. OMP Foods confirmed the purchase of the plant, formerly owned by Pilgrim's, on November 1.
OMP Foods is headquartered in Rogers, Ark., and raises antibiotic-free poultry for the restaurant industry and its consumer-based brand, Forester Farmer's Market.
"We are thrilled to be part of the Batesville community and to expand operations in our home state," said Dr. Ed Fryar, CEO of Ozark Mountain Poultry. "Our goal when we founded the company 13 years ago was to provide affordable, premium, quality chicken to families. With the purchase of the Batesville site, we will be able to meet the growing demands of consumers for healthy, antibiotic-free chicken."
The site is set to begin operations on November 11, allowing OMP Foods a two-week transition period to install new equipment, perform needed building renovations and allow additional time for local family farmers to raise chickens according to OMP's antibiotic-free standards. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new plant will be held on November 8.
