FOOD-PROCESSING FIRM TO OPEN NEW SIKESTON PLANT THIS YEAR

SIKESTON -- C&F Foods, a Los Angeles-based food processing company, will open a plant at Sikeston this year.

Sikeston Economic Development Director Bill Green announced last week that the new plant would provide 25 to 30 immediate jobs with a possible increase to 40 or 50.

The plant will locate in a 50,000-square-foot speculation building in the city's industrial park, off Wakefield Avenue.

C&F Foods completes the process of drying beans, popcorn and rice for consumption. The firm packages, processes and distributes pinto, kidney, lima and black beans.

The city has been awarded a Community Development Block Grant for $156,000 to complete a railroad spur to the new building.

Manuel Fernandez, who is a partner in the company, told city officials that the rail spur was a big plus in the company selecting Sikeston.

Company officials say the firm receives most of its beans by rail, then ships the packaged products out by truck.

Before its purchase, the 50,000-square-foot building was owned by five local banks and was constructed to attract industry to the city.

The firm also operates a processing plant in Filer, Idaho.