A collaborative ecosystem with an emphasis on reinvention is driving Wisconsin’s growth in the industry.
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In Jefferson County, a hub of F&B-related manufacturing has cropped up in recent years, reflecting major infrastructure developments in the area. Nestlé Purina poured $195 million into expanding its existing facility in the county while international grain processor Aztalan Bio invested more than $450 million to convert a former ethanol factory in the area for its own production.
Wisconsin offers a unique blend of advantages as a business base, especially for F&B companies. More than 3,800 F&B businesses operate in the state, including several major brands, such as Nestlé, Sargento, and Kraft Heinz, all of which have established significant operations in Wisconsin.
A thriving industry hub
One of the reasons businesses relocate to Wisconsin is the ability to scale operations through access to research and talent. Companies moving to the state have access to a crucial resource for growth: Wisconsin’s elite educational system, which features world-class research facilities located in the heart of the state. Many of these facilities focus on F&B technology and innovation.
Cross-sector partnerships as business advantages
WEDC provides a bevy of financial incentives for businesses. Larger companies that are open to making a big investment with their relocations can expect employment-based tax credit incentives. Wisconsin also caters to small businesses, offering developmental grants and investment-related incentives to help get their ventures off the ground. One initiative helping early-stage ventures attract investors is the WEDC’s Qualified New Business Venture Program, which offers tax credits equaling 25% of the equity share invested to participating angel investors. The corporation also offers Main Street grants to support downtown and small-business redevelopment.
Hear from John w. miller
on the benefits of basing operations in Wisconsin.
But Wisconsin’s business appeal goes beyond the bottom line.
Learn more about doing business in Wisconsin at wedc.org/food-and-beverage.
Wisconsin’s food and beverage industry spans the full value chain—from agriculture to advanced manufacturing—driving innovation at every stage.
Advanced production lines enable Wisconsin manufacturers to maintain quality, safety, and efficiency at scale.
Nestlé Purina’s continued investment highlights Wisconsin’s strength as a hub for large-scale food manufacturing.
World-class research institutions in Wisconsin support breakthroughs in food science, safety, and product development.
Alex Tyink, founder of Fork Farms, is helping expand access to fresh food through innovative hydroponic growing systems.
To support its rising F&B industry, Jefferson County launched the Food & Beverage Innovation Campus, a 175-acre industrial park that houses F&B-specific enterprises. The initiative aims to help accelerate development in the sector and boost the local economy. Global Japanese food brand Kikkoman, which has built a long-lasting partnership with the state, became the site’s first tenant with a $560 million investment for a cutting-edge production facility inside the
Source: WEDC
of the world’s largest food companies are based in Wisconsin.
70%
complex. The Jefferson site will be the Tokyo-based company’s third production facility in the U.S. Other hub tenants include Finnish biotech company Onego Bio and cheese manufacturer V&V Supremo Foods. Both companies contribute to the industry innovations happening at the shared business complex.
The center of R&D
For food sustainability entrepreneur Alex Tyink, founder of Fork Farms, one
of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., building in Wisconsin aligned business opportunity with personal conviction. “It made sense to start a business in my home state,” says Tyink. A native of Appleton, Wisc., his food tech company, Fork Farms, builds hydroponic farm devices. “Wisconsin also has a rare combination of agricultural heritage, manufacturing strength, engineering talent, and entrepreneurial spirit. For the kind of work we do, it’s important to be in an environment where advancements can be practical and scalable.”
In 2025, the company took advantage of the Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab located in the state—one of only five innovation labs in the world under the tech giant—to develop a proprietary AI system for its hydro farm products.
“We have a number of companies that have located here because the universities are spinning off incredible amounts of research,” says Miller. “It makes sense for companies to locate close to where the experts are when looking to engage in R&D for areas that require a tremendous amount of expertise.”
Animal genetics research is a robust subsector of Wisconsin’s F&B industry. Companies such as ABS Global, Accelerated Genetics, and Genex are developing technology for more sustainable livestock farming. These advancements are
bolstered by discoveries coming out of research facilities, including the Food Research Institute and the Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Building.
It’s clear that the state’s research sites provide invaluable resources for F&B enterprises to tap into. Additionally, the colocation of so many F&B industry leaders creates opportunities for cross-industry collaboration, developing initiatives such as FaB Wisconsin. The organization is an industry-wide network for F&B producers and manufacturers, representing nearly 140 member companies and upwards of 1,000 industry professionals. FaB Wisconsin helps businesses with anything they need support on, from food safety regulations and compliance to supply chain management. In recent years, the trade coalition has leveraged data collected through its annual talent and wages survey to find a sustainable solution to the industry’s workforce challenges.
Long associated with dairy, Wisconsin has transformed cheese into both a cultural hallmark and an industry of unmatched scale. By its production numbers alone, the state often referred to as “America’s dairyland” significantly outpaces other states. Not only does Wisconsin produce 24% of the country’s domestic cheese production, but it is also responsible for producing more than 50% of the feta, parmesan, and several other varieties of cheese made in the U.S.
But cheese is only part of the story. Wisconsin’s broader food and beverage (F&B) sector is thriving, with growth rippling across everything from processing and packaging to compliance and research and development (R&D).
A long-standing heritage of innovation and manufacturing runs through Wisconsin’s economy, sustaining industries such as F&B. That foundation has attracted seven of the world’s 10 largest food companies, which are bolstered by a state government that promotes cross-sector partnership and sustained investment in research.
“The main benefit businesses get from Wisconsin is stability,” says John W. Miller, secretary and CEO of Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), which acts as a liaison among Wisconsin’s businesses, research entities, and support resources available in the state. “Stability in a workforce, stability in tax policy that isn’t apt to change very regularly, and relative stability in weather make it a wonderful place to start a business.”
Source: WEDC
food and beverage businesses operate in Wisconsin.
3.8K
+
Among them is the University of Wisconsin (UW) Food Research Institute that is internationally recognized for its breakthroughs in food science, microbiology, and food allergies. There is also the UW Center for Dairy Research, which is the country’s leading laboratory for dairy product development.
“Companies are obviously looking at financial incentives, but there are also other benefits to relocating to Wisconsin,” says Miller. “We have an exceptionally well-educated workforce, a supply chain that is ready to meet every demand, and, frankly, Wisconsin is a great place to live and raise a family. Those are other factors that companies should consider when relocating their operations.”
Secretary and CEO, WEDC
john w. miller
We have an exceptionally well-educated workforce, a supply chain that is ready to meet every demand, and, frankly, Wisconsin is a great place to live and raise a family.”
Partnerships that focus on emerging technology have become part of the state’s business culture, which is why, in 2023, Wisconsin was designated as a regional technology hub by the U.S. government. Backed by strong research institutions, sustained investment, and a collaborative ecosystem, Wisconsin continues to strengthen its position as a long-term growth destination for F&B companies.
A strong workforce and collaborative ecosystem are helping drive innovation across Wisconsin’s food and beverage sector.
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