SPIRIT LAKE, IA – Rembrandt Foods® announces plans to build a fully dedicated cage-free egg production site in Lake Preston, South Dakota. The facility expansion will initially house approximately three million cage-free layers, in planned phases. The facility will have on-site breaking equipment, with further growth planned.
The South Dakota location was selected for its central location, access to feed, and biosecurity benefits. Construction will begin in 2016, with the first hens introduced in 2017. “Rembrandt Foods® will be a welcome addition to South Dakota’s robust agriculture industry,” said South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard. “I want to thank Rembrandt for choosing to do business here.”
The Rembrandt team would like to express their sincere thanks to the State of South Dakota, the citizens of Kingsbury County, and specifically the community of Lake Preston to help find an excellent site and welcome Rembrandt to the area. “We look forward to becoming a part of the local community and building long term, mutually beneficial relationships in this agricultural region,” says Jonathan Spurway, Vice President of Marketing at Rembrandt Foods®.
The site will significantly expand the existing cage-free egg production and processing capacity of Rembrandt Foods®, one of the world’s largest egg and egg ingredient producers. This investment aligns with the commitment to cage-free expansion and growth that Rembrandt announced last year.
More than 100 food companies and industry leaders have announced plans to switch to 100 percent cage-free eggs over the next ten years and the list continues to grow.
“We recognize the growing consumer demand for cage-free eggs and egg products and as a leader in this industry, we are committed to supporting our customers’ cage-free needs,” says Dave Rettig, President of Rembrandt Foods®. “The Lake Preston operation reflects our interest in a cage-free future and we are excited to make this investment.”
Rembrandt also offers customers a range of business solutions ranging from industry knowledge and trends to technical support and innovation. The Iowa-based company supplies eggs and egg products to food manufacturers, foodservice providers, restaurant chains, and retail grocers. According to Spurway, “Supplying high-quality cage-free egg products is just one way that Rembrandt partners with our customers. We help our customers understand what it will take to transition to a cage-free supply, and work with them to develop a plan to ensure success.”
“A cage-free supply chain isn’t built overnight,” Rettig adds, “but the Lake Preston facility puts us another step closer to facilitating a cage-free standard.”
Source: Rembrandt Foods
