INNOVATION IN FOOD & BEVERAGE
The Upstate connects two of the largest cities in the Southeastern United States: Charlotte and Atlanta. This 10-county region offers a low risk and competitive cost environment and is home to some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies, a strong workforce, and a business friendly regulatory environment. With more than 22,600 farms in South Carolina, and abundant water and sewer availability, companies in the food and beverage and packaging industry are finding success in the Upstate.
In a world where speed to market is essential, food and beverage companies can reach more than 102 million Americans in a day’s drive. With infrastructure that connects you by interstate, air, rail, and deep water, you can move product anywhere it needs to go — quickly.
UPSTATE LEADERS IN FOOD & BEVERAGE
KEURIG DR PEPPER
A leader in specialty coffee and innovative single-serve brewing systems, Keurig’s products are utilized in 25 million homes throughout North America. Their state-of-the-art operations facility in Spartanburg County primarily houses coffee roasting and packaging for its single-serve K-Cup pods, with more than $480 million in capital investment and 155 jobs.
E.A. SWEEN
E.A. Sween, a leader in the ready-to-eat sandwich industry who sells more than 100 million sandwiches annually, launched operations in Greenwood. The company invested $38 million and will create 300 new jobs, calling on support resources such as readySC to hire and train its production workforce. The company plans to produce an additional 75 million sandwiches per year at its Upstate SC facility.
NESTLÉ
Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company. They have more than 2,000 brands ranging from global icons to local favorites and are present in 189 countries around the world. Their Cherokee County operations employ 1,000 and produce Stouffer’s brand frozen entrees.
INDUSTRY SUPPORT AND RESOURCES
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
PACKAGING SCIENCES & FOOD TECHNOLOGY
Clemson is one of just a few schools in the U.S. that offers a degree in packaging science. Bolstered by industry partnerships and advanced labs, areas of study include:
- Distribution, transportation and engineering technology
- Food and health care packaging
- Package design and graphics
- Materials
FOOD SYSTEMS AND SAFETY PROGRAM
Clemson Extension’s technical training and support for local food industry includes:
- FDA required courses
- Product Development and Package Evaluation
- Product Shelf Life Studies
- Sensory Evaluation
- Package Distribution
- Green Solutions for Food and Packaging Waste
SC DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SCDA promotes and advocates for the growth of existing and new agribusiness opportunities throughout the state. Agribusiness accounts for 11% of the state’s total economic output, with its top commodities including broilers, turkeys, corn, cattle, soybeans, peanuts, eggs and wheat.