FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A sustainable food producer is expanding into Fort Wayne. Do Good Foods (DGF) today announced plans to invest up to $100 million in an animal-feed production facility near Fort Wayne International Airport, creating up to 100 new jobs by the end of 2024.
Launched in 2021 and headquartered in Bedminster, N.J., DGF converts excess grocery food gathered from supermarkets throughout the area into nutritious animal feed. DGF’s first product raised using this feed, Do Good Chicken, can currently be purchased in northeast Indiana grocery stores and will soon be available nationwide.
Plans call for DGF to move into a recently completed shell building at 8645 Aviation Dr. in Fort Wayne, with construction expected to be complete in late 2024 and production to begin in early 2025. The 150,000-square-foot facility will allow the company to divert food waste from up to 450 supermarkets, repurposing about 60,000 tons of food waste on an annual basis. This would reduce the amount of food waste—and the associated greenhouse gas emissions—in area landfills.
DGF currently operates a similar facility in Fairless Hills, Pa., a suburb of Trenton, N.J.
“We’re excited about the expansion of DGF into the Fort Wayne market,” said Matt Kamine, co-CEO of DGF. “This project is a great opportunity for DGF to work with the local community on bringing more sustainable solutions to Fort Wayne and the retailers and food service providers located there.”
DGF is currently expanding nationwide and will begin hiring this summer in Fort Wayne. Positions with the company will include skilled labor and facility management. Interested candidates can learn more and apply at DGF’s LinkedIn page.
“Do Good Foods takes Indiana’s advancements in sustainable food production to the next level and propels the state’s progress in clean energy,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “Taking food waste, the number one material in America’s landfills, and upcycling it to feed our livestock is the type of ingenuity we encourage and cultivate in Indiana.”
“Governor Holcomb and I are ecstatic to welcome Do Good Foods to Indiana,” said Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers. ”Their business model helps expand the circular economy here in the Hoosier state, building on Indiana’s momentum to shift away from the consumption of finite resources to more sustainable alternatives.”
Based on the company’s job creation plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) committed an investment in DGF of up to $1.2 million in the form of incentive-based tax credits and up to $100,000 in conditional training grants. These incentives are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired and trained. Northeast Indiana Works will provide the company with additional hiring and training assistance. Fort Wayne City Council also will consider tax phase-ins for DGF’s eligible real and personal (equipment) property investments.
“Fort Wayne continues to be a leader in business and job growth, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Do Good Foods,” said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. “This substantial and unique investment further positions us as a point of destination community that’s attractive for companies looking to expand and succeed.”
About Do Good Foods
Do Good Foods is a revolutionary climate-forward company. Our carbon-reduced food products give consumers a delicious way to fight food waste and combat climate change from their kitchen. Founded by the Kamine family, Do Good Foods has created a closed-loop system with state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to upcycle surplus grocery food (after community donations occur) into nutritious animal feed. Do Good Foods first product, Do Good Chicken, is raised using this healthy feed, can be purchased locally giving consumers an opportunity to make an immediate environmental impact and Do Good…for Plate & Planet.™ Learn more at dogoodfoods.com.
About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. serves Fort Wayne and Allen County, Ind., as its metro chamber alliance and primary point of contact for economic growth. GFW Inc. focuses on prosperity and community vibrancy through economic development, advocacy, programs, and resources that support business success, leadership development, graduate retention and community engagement. GFW Inc. worked with state and local partners to assist Do Good Foods with their plans. In 2021, GFW Inc. assisted 27 businesses in expansions or relocations in Allen County, resulting in more than 2,600 projected new jobs, more than $105 million in new annual payroll, and more than $498 million in new private investment.
