Just Egg expands production with a 30,000 sq ft facility in Minnesota
Acquisition of facility serving food ingredient industry will drive unit costs down
Just Eggs, the start-up producer of vegan eggs, has announced its acquisition from Del Dee Foods of a 30,000-square-foot facility and some 40 acres of land in Appleton, Minnesota. The move is to expand the production of the company’s protein processing of mung beans to mimic both the taste and texture of eggs. It is further confirmation of the growing plant-based food revolution. Just Egg will now become the city of Appleton’s largest private employer bringing continued employment to the prairie of Minnesota.
Josh Tetrick, founder and CEO of JUST Inc, said, “To make our mission happen, we need to scale. Separating the protein from the bean requires talent, proprietary processing and a supportive community. We found all that and more in Appleton.”
The company has expanded greatly in 2019. Its products are now stocked in Kroger, Walmart and Whole Foods in addition to a large number of foodservice outlets.
Economies of Scale will drive the unit cost of Just Eggs down
The company’s goal is to ensure that with the economies of scale it will succeed in dramatically reducing the price of the Just Egg which currently stands at 20 cents each by more than 75 per cent.
The Del Dee Foods facility produced milk-derived whey for more than 30 years at the address.
“Having Just acquire our facility is a win-win for everyone, including the city of Appleton,” said John Droogsma, co-owner at Del Dee Foods. “In one year, we have doubled our staff and Just has plans to continue that trend.” Previously the facility serviced the food ingredient industry including significant amounts of milk-derived whey. Now the facility and the town of Appleton will launch headlong into the new plant-based food revolution.
