A group known as Central Virginia Poultry Cooperative (CVPC) was recently created to attract new poultry businesses to the central Virginia area.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), which created the group, announced the new state effort following Tyson Foods’ closure of its Glen Allen processing facility and hopes it will support the impacted poultry growers.
“Since the closure of the Tyson Glen Allen facility, VDACS staff and staff from other state agencies have met with former Tyson employees, growers, industry stakeholders and county officials to provide resources and aid in determining next steps,” stated VDACS Commissioner Joseph Guthrie. “Establishing the Central Virginia Poultry Cooperative is a tremendous step forward, as it will protect the interests of central Virginia poultry farmers and work to attract new poultry businesses into the region.”
While not many details are available, county government office Commonwealth Regional Council (CRC) explained in an interview with media outlet The Farmville Herald that CVPC plans to produce and sell cage-free and organic cage-free table eggs.
According to the CRC, CVPC has contacted a Middlebury, Indiana, based producer of cage-free and pasture-raised shell eggs and hopes to help them increase their egg production capabilities.
The cooperative’s establishment was funded by a US$35,000 grant awarded by VDACS. CRC said the new cooperative will serve multiple regions in the area including Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties.
Secretary of Virginia’s Agriculture and Forestry department Matthew Lohr stated: “I am pleased that the Commonwealth Regional Council is receiving this Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development grant for the establishment of the Central Virginia Poultry Cooperative. This grant will help mitigate the loss of an essential broiler processing complex, support Virginia poultry growers and their communities, and demonstrate that Virginia welcomes rural economic development.”
