American Foodservice to expand in Thomasville

ATLANTA, Oct. 16, 2006 -The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that American Foodservice, a joint venture partner in American Fresh Foods in Thomasville, will add 35 new jobs and invest $3 million in expanding its operation to include 'flash freeze' production lines. 'American Foodservice is a great example of an existing operation that has found all the resources it needs to thrive and expand in Georgia,' said Craig Lesser, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. 'We look forward to continuing to work with the company to help it prosper and grow.' American Fresh Foods (AFF), based in Fort Worth, Texas, already produces case-ready fresh ground beef products for distribution to retail grocery establishments in the Southeastern U.S. AFF will convert approximately 50 percent of its 75,000-square-foot Thomasville facility to accommodate equipment that can 'flash freeze' individual ground beef patties, which will be supplied to distribution centers in the Southeast. The new production lines are expected to begin operations next month. The company opened its Thomasville plant in 2005 with 35 employees. 'We came to Georgia with a three-year plan to expand our operations and workforce, and we are right on schedule, thanks to the outstanding resources and support offered by the community as well as by the state,' said Barry Renninger, president of American Foodservice. 'We're pleased that we are able to double our staff and grow our company even more.' 'We've enjoyed an outstanding relationship with American Fresh Foods and are proud to be associated with such a high-quality, safety-conscious company,' said Don Sims, president of the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce. 'We are very pleased to share in their success and look forward to helping them continue to grow.' Known as a leader and innovator in ground beef food safety programs, American Fresh Foods is a joint venture between American Foodservice, King of Prussia, Penn., and Fairbank Farms, located in Ashville, N.Y. The company offers a complete variety of ground beef products, including quick frozen 'IQF' patties, fresh patties and bulk grinds, and seasoned blends, as well as products that fit today's consumer lifestyles like its Certified Angus Beef™ and all-natural Stone River Ranch™ brands. American Fresh Foods operates production locations in the Northeast, Southwest and Southeast for supply chain efficiency and continuous supply. It also researches burger and ground beef trends, operates a Culinary Smart Center™ to generate burger recipes and ideas, and partners with Viking™ Culinary Art locations around the country. The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.georgia.org.