ST. JOSEPH, MO. — Producer-owned Triumph Foods is expanding its workforce in St. Joseph, Mo., with the addition of in-house sanitation services. The expansion is expected to create an additional 88 jobs, according to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

“We are proud of the work we do every day to feed the world,” said Matt England, president and chief executive officer of Triumph Foods. “This expansion will keep our sanitation practices in-house, with valued team members from our local community who are qualified and trained in safety. We are thankful for the Missouri Works program for recognizing how this will develop skills and provide meaningful career opportunities within the state.”

The Missouri Works program helps companies expand and retain workers by providing access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation.

Triumph Foods’ St. Joseph facility spans 800,000 square feet and produces 1.5 billion lbs of locally sourced pork annually.

Labor union UFCW Local 2 lauded the addition of jobs at the plant for sanitation workers who will be represented by the union.

“On behalf of UFCW Local 2, I am pleased to know that the State of Missouri has awarded funds to support new UFCW sanitation jobs at Triumph Foods,” said Martin Rosas, president of the union. “Triumph Foods took a leadership position in the industry by collaborating with our union to create new unionized sanitation jobs.”

Triumph Foods isn’t the first meat processor to recently expand with in-house sanitation.

In May, JBS USA announced the formation of a new full-service food safety and food plant sanitation business, known as JBS Sanitation.