HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Pinnacle Foods Inc. says it's buying a former ice cream plant in Hagerstown to produce Gardein meatless food products.
The Herald-Mail reported in its Wednesday edition that Pinnacle, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, recently bought the plant from Valley Pride LLC of Harrisonburg, Virginia, during Valley Pride's bankruptcy proceedings.
Pinnacle spokeswoman Sarah Tremallo says the Gardein line is outgrowing its production capacity in Vancouver, British Columbia. She says it makes sense to add production capability along the U.S. East Coast.
Valley Pride processed milk at the Hagerstown plant in 2014. Before that, the plant produced ice cream for about 30 years until it was closed in 2012 by global food giant Unilever, idling about 400 workers.
Pinnacle's other brands include Birds Eye and Duncan Hines.