Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced one of the largest job-creation projects in the commonwealth since the start of his administration as Kitchen Food Co., an Australia-founded premium ready-meals business, will locate a new world-class prepared foods facility in Hopkinsville with a $69 million investment creating 925 quality ongoing Kentucky jobs. This represents the single largest job-creation announcement in Christian County in over 20 years, and the fifth largest job-creation project statewide under the Beshear-Coleman administration.
“Today’s announcement is a great reminder that Kentucky’s economic momentum is not only here to stay, but that the commonwealth is open and ready for companies from all over the world to establish their New Kentucky Home,” said Gov. Beshear. “This project represents the single largest job-creation announcement in Christian County in over two decades, which means countless new opportunities for Kentuckians in Hopkinsville and the surrounding region to provide for themselves and their families. I want to thank Christian Avramides and Daniel Borenstein of Kitchen Food Co. for choosing and believing in our great state. I look forward to watching their success and growth here in the commonwealth.”
The project will see the company establish an ultra-modern manufacturing facility in Hopkinsville, its first operation in the United States, located in a 100,000-square-foot facility. Construction and building renovations are expected to begin early in 2025 and be completed in the summer of 2026. The 925 jobs created will include operations and production managers, HR managers, accountants, technical managers, engineers, supervisors, machine operators, forklift drivers and process and warehouse operatives.
“What began as a passion for sharing healthy fresh meals with our local community in Sydney, Australia, has now brought us to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, our new home base in the U.S.,” said Kitchen Food Co. co-founder and CEO Christian Avramides. “We have chosen Hopkinsville due to the proactive support and dedication of the local community leadership, coupled with the quality produce, excellent workforce and central location. We are honored to join forces with the wonderful people of Kentucky as we start this new chapter, bringing flavorful, nutritious and affordable meal options to American families, made fresh daily in Kentucky.”
“Our company has a strong tradition of loyalty and developing talent from within,” added Kitchen Food Co. co-founder and CEO Daniel Borenstein. “Many of our senior leaders started on the factory floor, and we look forward to offering similar opportunities for growth and advancement to the residents of Kentucky.”
Kitchen Food Co., founded in 2002 in Sydney, Australia, is a family-owned and -operated quality food business that has been at the forefront of providing nutritious, convenient and affordable ready meals to the Australian market since inception. Known for its commitment to quality, innovation and the community, Kitchen Food Co. is excited to expand its mission of “nourishing communities with wholesome and accessible meal options” to the United States.
Christian County Judge/Executive Jerry Gilliam thanked the leadership and partnerships at the local, regional and state levels for their efforts in the project: “Christian County is always eager to welcome new ag-related industries. Kitchen Food Co.’s facility will produce ready-made meals sourcing local and regional produce while investing nearly $70 million and creating over 900 jobs. We are thrilled they’ve chosen to locate in our region and proud to have partnered with the Governor’s office, Cabinet for Economic Development, TVA, city of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College and regional planning and workforce partners to secure the company’s investment.”
Hopkinsville Mayor James R. Knight is excited to welcome the company to the community: “The city of Hopkinsville is honored to be the new home of Kitchen Food Co.’s first U.S. facility. Their choice to locate in Hopkinsville is further validation that our community is a great place to do business with low taxes and an affordable cost of living. We look forward to working with the company’s leadership and helping them succeed for generations to come.”
John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development Council, noted the job opportunities and investment the company will bring to the region: “TVA and Pennyrile RECC congratulate Kitchen Food Co. on its decision to establish operations and create new job opportunities in Hopkinsville. Working to attract companies creating jobs and investments in the region is fundamental to TVA’s mission of service. We are proud to partner with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Southwestern Kentucky EDC to further that mission and look forward to Kitchen Food Co.’s future business success here.”
Carter Hendricks, executive director of the Southwestern Kentucky Economic Development Council, welcomes the company to the community and looks forward to their success in the commonwealth: “We are excited to welcome Kitchen Food Co. to southwestern Kentucky as they are set to purchase our 100,000-square-foot shell building in Hopkinsville’s Commerce Park for their first U.S. based facility. Their investment will mark the region’s first Australian and twenty fourth international company. With their company leadership and strong performance combined with our region’s agricultural assets, workforce and distribution advantages, we are confident the company will succeed and grow in our less taxing, more relaxing region.”