VPGC Offically Opens for Business and Begins Processing Turkey
Grain Unloading Station Opens
VPGC Opens First Processing Expansion
State of the Art Processing Facility Opens
Hinton Plant - circa 1950
Hinton Plant - September 2020
In the spring of 2004, Pilgrim’s Pride announced a decision to close their processing facility in Hinton, Virginia. With almost 170 growers and 1,800 employees, the effects of the plant’s closure would have caused a severe economic impact of over $200 million to the Shenandoah Valley
Facing the real possibility of losing farms and livelihood, the turkey growers came together to form their own independent poultry processing company. Finding much needed support from the community, local and state government, and federal agencies, Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative (VPGC) was incorporated, and both the Hinton processing facility and the feed mill in Broadway, Virginia were purchased. On November 29th, 2004, VPGC officially opened for business and began processing turkeys.
In the years since, the company has experienced unparalleled growth and success for a company of its size and structure. One of the first poultry processors to be completely owned by its growers, 100% of VPGC’s profits go back to the growers, ensuring that money stays local. Over the years, VPGC has continued to innovate in the field of processed turkey, becoming one of the first commercial turkey processors to offer antibiotic free and organic products, going beyond industry and customer standards in areas such as food safety and animal welfare.
In addition to providing customers with quality, innovative products, VPGC also maintains its entrepreneurial spirit, with an eye toward growth. In 2008, the company opened a grain unloading station that serves multiple poultry companies in the Shenandoah Valley, signifying a commitment to the local poultry industry that goes beyond corporate boundaries. Most recently we completed a three year, $100 million project to overhaul our first processing and deboning areas. Opened in 2019, this state of the art plant expansion has boosted our processing capacity, further leveraging Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative as a major player in the turkey processing industry for years to come.