Hanover Foods gets $1 million to upgrade Clayton plant

Hanover Foods Corporation will receive up to $1 million to upgrade the infrastructure and equipment of its canned and frozen food facility in Clayton.

The company has  been approved for the $1 million grant from the state pilot program that aims to help Delaware businesses evolve and remain competitive within their industries.

It will apply the grant toward a more than $5 million project to improve its Clayton site with modernized drying and freezing infrastructure and upgraded harvesting, washing and sorting equipment.

“Hanover Foods has long valued our trusted partnerships with Delaware and Maryland farmers, and we are proud to be the employer of choice for our team members at our Clayton, Delaware, facility,” said David Shaqfeh, president of Hanover Foods Corporation.

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Hanover’s impact

Hanover contracts with 41 farms in Delaware to have them grow peas, corn, lima beans and edamame on behalf of the company, which then harvests, processes, packages and distributes the products for sale at grocery retailers across the United States.

Delaware is the no. 1 producer of lima beans in the United States.

Hanover’s Clayton plant employs 55 workers year-round and adds more than 100 additional seasonal workers between May and November.

Hanover is also celebrating its 100th year of operation.

The money is funneled through the Modernization Investment Support Initiative (MISI) grant, which provides funds to qualified businesses that face regional, national or global competitive forces that could disrupt or negatively affect local operations like employment and activity unless investments are made that can update or modernize the Delaware location.

“Hanover Foods has a longstanding history as an integral part of the agriculture supply chain in Delaware and surrounding areas,” said Kent Economic Partnership Executive Director Linda Parkowski. “The MISI grant will allow them to modernize and stay competitive and remain a part of Delaware agriculture for many years to come.”