MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) – One of the world’s leading sauerkraut producers is moving its headquarters to Wisconsin, with plans to expand operations and add 60 high-paying jobs.
Fermented Food Holdings, Inc. will invest $13 million in its Bear Creek production facility and relocate its corporate headquarters to Madison, with support from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), which has awarded the company $500,000 in performance-based tax credits.
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Known for popular brands like Silver Floss sauerkraut and Bubbies pickles, Fermented Food Holdings will enhance its Bear Creek facility by adding a new fermentation room, cooler, and production line, increasing its annual capacity by 20 million pounds of cabbage.
The expansion, which includes 41 new roles in Bear Creek and 19 at the new headquarters, aims to bolster ties with Wisconsin’s agricultural sector.
Gov. Tony Evers welcomed the move, noting Wisconsin’s reputation for quality food production and deep ties to the fermentation tradition. “When people see the ‘made in Wisconsin’ label, they know they’re getting a quality product made by some of the best workers in the world,” Evers said.
Wisconsin, the fourth-largest producer of cabbage in the U.S., is an ideal location for the sauerkraut giant, allowing the company to source directly from local farms and foster a more personal connection with growers, a priority for CEO Jorge Azevedo.
Fermented Food Holdings considered Miami, Denver, and Austin for its headquarters but chose Madison for its proximity to Wisconsin farms and its vibrant food industry.
Azevedo emphasized the importance of staying close to Wisconsin’s tight-knit farming community: “We love that we can be close to the small, very tight farming community that has been with us for decades.”
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The expansion brings an economic boost to Bear Creek, a town of about 400 residents while paying homage to the facility’s 100-year-old roots as the Flanagan Brothers Pickling Company.
With Wisconsin’s strong demand for fermented products and the state’s long-standing bratwurst and beer traditions, the future for Fermented Food Holdings looks promising.
