DIXON, Calif. – The “biggest, greenest” lamb facility is nearing completion, and it belongs to Superior Farms, a leading processor and marketer of lamb products. The new plant is expected to be fully operational by the end of August. It is adjacent an existing processing facility, which currently is operational.
The company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the construction of what it says is the first new lamb processing plant built in the United States since 1997. Numerous dignitaries attended the ceremony, including Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food & Agriculture; Ed Avalos, Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, US Department of Agriculture; and Rosemary Mucklow, representing the North American Meat Institute (NAMI).
The new facility makes use of green technologies, which the company says will reduce its total carbon footprint. Superior Farms said the plant will leverage the best in ergonomics, natural lighting, wind power and water reduction, which will reduce the facility’s total energy consumption by 45 percent.
“While we are all hoping for an end to this drought, we built this plant to be as water smart as possible and to ensure that almost every drop is repurposed for sustainable uses,” said Shane MacKenzie, vice president of operations. “Really, it’s just an extension of our overall philosophy to be good stewards of the land and to never waste resources.”
