WEST LIBERTY (Iowa) -- West Liberty Foods, L.L.C., in West Liberty, Iowa, announced on Feb. 27 that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the assets of Decatur-based Crystal Lake Farms and Free Ranger. This acquisition will include both breeding stock and processing plant assets to allow West Liberty Foods to produce free-range, slow-growth chickens.
"The acquisition of Crystal Lake Farms and Free Ranger is another exciting step for West Liberty Foods," said Ed Garrett, CEO for West Liberty Foods. "This expansion of our business will allow us to meet the growing consumer demand for humanely grown, pasture-raised poultry."
The Crystal Lake Farms broilers carry a Step 4 rating from the Global Animal Partnership, meaning the chickens are raised with pasture-centered, animal-welfare-friendly farming practices.
"I am excited about the transaction and with West Liberty Foods and the manufacturing expertise they deliver," said Blake Evans, president of Crystal Lake Farms. "The company will continue to innovate around the breed, feed and growing environment."
West Liberty Foods is a food company offering protein solutions to many well-known food service and retail customers, both domestically and internationally. The company has six locations in three states and has more than 2,700 employees. A verified landfill-free company, West Liberty Foods has successfully diverted more than 520 million pounds of waste from landfills since the initiative began in 2012. For more information, visit: www.wlfoods.com.
Crystal Lake Farms produces all-natural pasture-raised chicken products that are certified by the Global Animal Partnership and are Non-GMO project verified. Its Crystal Lake Free Ranger is a slower-growing chicken that thrives both inside and outside. The company is headquartered in Decatur. For more information, visit: www.crystallakefarms.com.
General News on 03/15/2017