New product lines and state-of-the-art food processing technology will result from a multi-million dollar expansion at Mrs.

Friday, March 30, 2001

New product lines and state-of-the-art food processing technology will result from a multi-million dollar expansion at Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen, Inc. of Albert Lea.

According to CEO Alan Oliver, the expansion is a result of a growing customer base and a healthy grocery industry.

The project, due to begin this summer, will increase the salad making and packaging facility by 20,000 square feet to about 85,000. Oliver hopes the expansion is complete by Feb. 2002.

Oliver said the expansion is the company’s sixth since it moved to it’s current location in 1979.

&uot;It’s extremely exciting and good news for Albert Lea,&uot; Oliver said.

Oliver said the company is shipping products to 16 states besides Minnesota and is always looking for more customers. A new agreement with Cub Foods is another recent development that points to more growth, he said.

&uot;The market for fresh grocery products and refrigerated foods is growing and we’re well-positioned to take advantage of it,&uot; Oliver said. &uot;The expansion will give us the ability to install some new potato processing equipment that’s on the cutting edge of the industry.&uot;

The expansion will also be a boon to Mrs. Gerry’s 116 employees, whose jobs will be more secure, Oliver said, adding that announcement was made to the workers Thursday.

Mrs. Gerry’s, founded by Geraldine Vogt in 1973, makes more than 120 items including cole slaw, macaroni salad and the best-selling potato salad made from Vogt’s family recipe.