In Northeast Indiana, 78% of the region’s total land area is made up of rich farmland, making it a prime location for food and agriculture companies like Miller Poultry, Living Essentials, Maple Leaf Farms, Edy’s Grand Ice Cream and Kraft Heinz. Northeast Indiana’s food and agriculture industry accounts for more than 14,000 regional jobs (8% above the national average), represents nearly the entire food-delivery chain and contributes $31.2 billion to the state’s annual gross domestic product (GDP). Northeast Indiana alone produces $2 billion in farm products annually. Indiana is one of the top five states in the nation for corn, soybean and ice cream production, and boasts a total value of $10 billion for crops and livestock sold.
The momentum in the industry is exponential, with the food manufacturing sector displaying a 22% increase in establishments within food manufacturing from 2016-2019. As the industry continues to grow, so do the state and regional industry investments. The state and region are working collaboratively to develop and fuel the industry through initiatives like AgriNovus Indiana, a statewide initiative to fuel growth in Indiana’s agbioscience economy through talent development, entrepreneurship and business investment. With access to robust land and competitive electric and gas rates, the opportunities for industry growth are endless.
“Companies are seeking to create resiliency in supply chains and get closer to customers and suppliers. Northeast Indiana’s proven strength in agriculture, food manufacturing and advanced manufacturing position it well to compete for business.” – Mitch Frazier, president of AgriNovus.
Click here to learn more about Northeast Indiana’s strong Food & Agriculture industry.
| Company | Product |
| Miller Poultry | Poultry Processing |
| Living Essentials | Energy Drinks |
| Edy’s Grand Ice Cream | Ice Cream and other Frozen Treats |
| Mullinix | Thermoformed Plastic Packaging |
| Maple Leaf Farms | Chicken and Duck Processing |
| D&W Fine Pack, Inc. | Plastic Food Packaging |
| Creighton Brothers | Chicken Eggs |
| Bunge | Oilseed Processing, Milling, Distribution, Sugar and Bioenergy |
| Red Gold | Tomato Preserving and Canning |
| Dean Foods | Dairy Provider |
Source: Development Counsellors International (DCI), 2021
| Occupation | 2020 NEI Employment | 2020 NEI Median Annual Wages | 2020 National Median Annual Wages | NEI/US |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock and Material Movers | 9,793 | $28,633 | $29,495 | 97.1% |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 6,732 | $42,337 | $45,108 | 93.9% |
| General and Operations Managers | 5,753 | $85,323 | $100,371 | 85.0% |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | 5,000 | $43,428 | $39,030 | 111.3% |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 4,271 | $58,721 | $59,510 | 98.7% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | 4,341 | $57,296 | $61,099 | 93.8% |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers and Weighers | 3,215 | $39,531 | $39,198 | 100.8% |
| Shipping, Receiving and Inventory Clerks | 2,771 | $34,040 | $34,179 | 99.6% |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | 2,457 | $32,684 | $36,178 | 90.3% |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 1,376 | $47,758 | $53,472 | 89.3% |
Source: Emsi 2020
From pickles to ice cream, Northeast Indiana is home to many connected and well-supported food-processing industries.
In addition to these thriving industries, Northeast Indiana Regional Food Network cultivates opportunities for new and existing businesses, nurtures entrepreneurial growth, and enhances the quality of life in the region.
Northeast Indiana and the Fort Wayne area also boast an abundance of major agricultural products. These include:
While there are many unique features of Northeast Indiana’s welcoming business landscape, one major asset is the region’s abundance of excess water capacity to support the needs of food-processing companies. If you’re looking for a place to relocate or plant your business, we also feature a large supply of certified shovel-ready industrial sites that have the infrastructure in place. The infrastructure includes:
Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on the region’s business climate and what it’s like to live in Northeast Indiana.
