McCall Farms to expand vegetable canning operations in South Carolina

US-based canned and frozen vegetables producer McCall Farms is set to add a new canning line, Bruce’s Yams, at its production facility in Florence County, South Carolina, with an investment of $19.3m.

The project is expected to create 140 new jobs over the next five years.

This development comes as McCall Farms acquired the Bruce Foods’ brand and its two existing facilities.

Bruce Foods manufactures yams, white potatoes and Southern vegetables including, okra, squash, greens and carrots.

McCall Farms co-owner Marion Swink said that the acquisition of the Bruce’s brand is an exciting addition to the company.

"Bruce Foods is a family-owned company that has shared our similar values, and their Southern style vegetables are the perfect addition to the McCall Farms’ product line," Swink said.

In support of the project, McCall Farms will receive a $1m grant from the Coordinating Council for Economic Development for infrastructure improvements.

Throughout the years, the company has been strengthening its operations with increased production and entering untapped markets with new products and labels.

In 1985, it acquired Holmes Canning Company and initially expanded into the Georgia and Alabama markets and later throughout the Southeast and the US.

In 2012, McCall Farms announced takeover of Glory Foods label and added a 150,000ft² shipping house, creating 65 jobs and in July the same year, it invested $10.6m to increase the number of production lines and ability to move to a 24-7 production schedule.

Established in 1838, McCall Farms produces canned and frozen vegetables including tomatoes, okra, corn, squash, string beans, peas, potatoes, peanuts and peaches.

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Image: McCall Farms produces canned and frozen vegetables including tomatoes, okra, corn, squash. Photo courtesy of Francois Carstens.