May 26 -- Cargill is to invest $14.7 million in a research and development facility in Wichita, Kansas. Construction of the 75,000 sq ft, two-story "Cargill Innovation Center" is scheduled to begin in July, with completion projected for June 2011, the firm said.

The facility will have research, development, culinary, laboratory, pilot plant and distribution capabilities.

"Our preference has always been to develop a new innovation center here, and over the past few months, all of the necessary elements properly aligned to allow that to happen. This is good for Wichita, it is good for Cargill and its customers, and it is definitely good for our employees," said Jody Horner, president of Cargill's U.S. meat business.

The facility will be used for the development of new product offerings, as well as the utilisation of Cargill products by retail and foodservice customers.

A food distribution center to serve smaller grocery stores is also included in the project.  

From the June 7, 2010, Prepared Foods E-dition