Decatur, Illinois – Just one year after construction began, National Foodworks Services (NFS) celebrates its grand opening today. The high quality food production company has been working steadily over the past year to convert the former Brush College Elementary School at 575 N. Brush College Road into a state-of-the-art food production facility and incubator. Phase one, being celebrated today, includes a large walk-in freezer, walk-in refrigeration, packaging and storage areas, loading docks and fork lift ramps.
NFS will also offer a full range of FDA approved commercial food processing including baking, bottling, freezing and affiliated food processing. NFS will further expand opportunities for small or new food concepts with full scale baking, packaging, storage, and distribution.
“We’re already seeing interest from restaurants and individuals that want to have their own products made and packaged,” said Tony Caccomo, Managing Partner of NFS. “With our state-of-the-art equipment, we have a huge cross section of opportunity.”
Phase two will include a bakery line, wet kitchen, popping, roasting, and bagging area, confectionary line, and bottling, along with training facilities for research and development.
The food incubator is unique to Decatur and Macon County. Surrounded by major manufacturers with easy access to highways and rail systems, NFS takes advantage of Decatur’s logistic advantages and location captured by the Midwest Inland Port. “Decatur and Central Illinois is uniquely positioned for food production because of its location and because of our distribution facilities,” says Jim Milano, Managing Partner, NFS. “We are in an ideal location for both distribution and location services near to producers.”
Some of the foods produced at this facility will include traditional baked goods like cookies, brownies, and cakes, to soups, frozen vegetables, salsas, candied fruits and nuts. The versatility of the facility allows for a variety of product production, and it will attract food entrepreneurs nationwide.
“NFS will fill a niche in the food product industry and can provide critical services to both large and small businesses,” says Ryan McCrady, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County. “This will bolster Decatur’s reputation in food research and production, and provide a unique opportunity for food entrepreneurs to reach an expanded marketplace. We appreciate NFS’s commitment to Decatur, and it is exciting to see the significant financial support provided to the project by many local institutions.”
“National Foodworks Services is a welcomed partner to the Decatur-Macon County agribusiness sector and food service industry,” says Mirinda Rothrock, president, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce. “By providing innovative services through customized baking, packaging and shipping solutions, NFS will help the region expand and meet consumer needs.”
“The City of Decatur is very excited about the addition of National Food Work Services,” says Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe, City of Decatur. “What better place for an innovative food company to establish it roots than on the doorstep of Illinois’ Billion Dollar Gateway. We can’t wait to see what new Decatur-made products our future foodie entrepreneurs create!”
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About National Foodworks Services
National Foodworks Services is an incubator commercial kitchen project company. Resting in Illinois’ billion dollar gateway, National Foodworks Services offers a full range of FDA approved commercial food processing including baking, bottling, freezing, and packaging of consumer ready food products. National Foodworks Services will further expand opportunities for small or new food concepts looking to bring products to the consumer arena. For more, visit www.nationalfoodworks.com.
Photo
From Left to Right: Director Raymond Poe – Illinois Department of Agriculture, Ms. Andria Winters – Assistant Director, Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Mayor Julie Moore-Wolfe – City of Decatur, Mr. Juan Luciano – CEO and President, ADM, Governor Bruce Rauner – State of Illinois, Mr. Tony Caccomo – Managing Partner, National Foodworks Services, Mr. Jim Milano – Managing Partner, National Foodworks Services, Mr. Lee Strom – Project Director, FARM Illinois, Mrs. Mirinda Rothrock – President, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ryan McCrady – President, Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County
Contacts
Tony Caccomo, Managing Partner
National Foodworks Services
PH: 217-330-8512
Ryan McCrady, President
Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County
PH: 217-422-9520
