Salad Days Produce expanding in Madison County
Oct 8, 2024 - Madison County, Hydroponically grown head lettuce
By: Mississippi Development Authority
Salad Days Produce, a producer of hydroponically grown head lettuce, is expanding in Madison County. The project is a corporate investment of nearly $8.18 million and will create at least 12 new jobs.
Based in Flora, Salad Days Produce is a woman-owned local business that specializes in growing pesticide-free produce and can supply restaurants and other food-service companies with a variety of lettuce year-round.
The expansion includes the addition of a new state-of-the-art 65,000-square-foot Controlled-Environment Agriculture facility in Flora Industrial Park to the company’s current 21,000-square-foot facility in Flora. The expansion will enable Salad Days Produce to serve larger grocery chains and regional produce distributors by increasing its current production capacity by a factor of eight.
Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program. Madison County also is assisting with the project.
The company expects to complete the expansion in July 2025.
QUOTES
“Salad Days Produce’s investment continues the positive Mississippi momentum that is taking place throughout our state. Every job created and every dollar invested by companies like Salad Days Produce speak to our pro-business mindset and the fact that we truly are one of the best states for business. It’s another great day for our state.”– Gov. Tate Reeves
“In Mississippi, we aim to eliminate barriers and red tape that can hinder economic growth. As a result, we are having a record-breaking year for economic development, and we are glad to add Salad Days Produce to our impressive list of recent expansion projects. In addition to the positive impact this growth will have on the company and its employees, it benefits the regional food-service market by enabling more retailers and restaurants to gain access to this high-quality Mississippi-grown product. We appreciate the Salad Days team for once again choosing Mississippi.” – MDA Executive Director Bill Cork
“This new state-of-the-art facility will solve the capacity issue we’ve had. We will now be able to meet the volume demands of both our existing clients and clients that have been on the waiting list, in some cases for years. It’s the preferred brand for some of the Deep South’s best restaurants and most celebrated chefs.” – Salad Days President Leigh Bailey
“Salad Days has been a staple in Flora for the last 12 years. As a testament to the local community, they have decided to expand operations here in Madison County. Salad Days’ new facility will strengthen Flora’s footprint as an emerging food-sector hub.” – MCEDA Executive Director Joseph Deason