By Kady Gehrke
Peterson Brands, LLC, formally King Brands, is a Peterson Farms Family of Companies business. They have been a cornerstone of quality, food safety, and value for over three decades and supply shelf-stable juices in aseptic liter boxes and in cups or pouches. Their products require no refrigeration and are ready to serve – this allows them to be major distributors in the food service sectors that include healthcare, schools, military, airlines, cruise lines, and other food service-related industries.
Headquartered in Shelby, MI, with processing facilities throughout the U.S., Peterson Brands specializes in individual quick-frozen fruits, fresh apple processing, bulk and retail juice, applesauce, and controlled atmosphere storage. They also operate the largest freezer storage facility in the Midwest.
Last year, Peterson Brands, LLC received a $250,000 Food and Agriculture Investment Program Grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). This funding was used as part of a $33 million expansion of Peterson Brands’ capacity for putting juice into containers. This project also initiated the creation of 96 new positions over the next three years within Shelby Township and the reduction of offshore fruit sourcing. The project touches on several key agricultural benefits, including increased apple purchases, higher revenue for growers, additional job opportunities, and increased local economic activity driven by staff spending.
Through the support received from MDARD on this project, Peterson Brands has gained insight into export opportunities and further grant funding that could help to facilitate even more growth. The company has also enjoyed their connection with MDARD and being able to share the department’s extensive data and communications with their network of 410 family-owned farms.
Peterson Brands, LLC will continue to work on completing this expansion project and growing their operations. MDARD takes pride in connecting companies like Peterson Brands to opportunities for funding and economic development so they can thrive.
Source : michigan.gov