October is Manufacturing Month: Celebrating Food Manufacturers in the Midwest

October is celebrated nationally as Manufacturing Month, a time to recognize the companies and workers who drive one of the Midwest’s most important economic sectors. Across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois, food manufacturing transforms agricultural products into the foods families enjoy every day while providing tens of thousands of stable, family-supporting careers. From vegetable canning and freezing operations to meat processing facilities, snack food manufacturers and more, food processing remains a cornerstone of regional manufacturing strength and economic growth.

Food manufacturing occupies a unique place within the broader manufacturing economy because it connects farms, transportation networks, packaging suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and retailers. The sector encompasses frozen and canned vegetables, meat and poultry products, baked goods, dairy products, confectionery items, and an ever-growing range of snacks, prepared meals and other important foods. Nationally, food manufacturing employs nearly 1.8 million workers and represents one of the country's largest manufacturing industries.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin has long been recognized as one of the nation’s premier food processing states. More than 146,000 jobs are connected to the state’s food and beverage industry, supported by over 3,800 food and beverage companies. The industry benefits from Wisconsin’s strong agricultural base and world-class expertise in food science and manufacturing.

Food manufacturing directly employs more than 80,000 workers across Wisconsin, making it one of the state’s largest manufacturing subsectors.

Wisconsin’s vegetable canning and freezing industry deserves special recognition during Manufacturing Month. The state ranks among the nation’s leading producers of snap beans and other processing vegetables, supporting facilities that harvest crops at peak freshness and provide year-round food supplies. The meat processing industry is equally vital. Wisconsin companies produce sausages, proteins, and specialty meat products that have become nationally recognized brands. And of course, Wisconsin is known as the Dairy State for being a top milk producer and the number one manufacturer of cheese in the country.

Minnesota

Minnesota’s food and agriculture sector contributes more than $88 billion in economic activity and supports more than 320,000 jobs statewide. Food production and agriculture remain among Minnesota’s most influential industries, with food manufacturing serving as a critical value-added component of that success.

The state’s food manufacturing industry employs approximately 48,000 workers. These workers and their employers have helped establish Minnesota as a global center for food innovation, product development, and popular consumer brands.

Minnesota’s meat processing industry is particularly significant. As the nation’s second-largest pork-producing state and a leading producer of turkey products, Minnesota processors play a crucial role in supplying domestic and international markets. Livestock processing facilities add value to agricultural products while creating thousands of skilled manufacturing careers.

Vegetable processing also remains an important part of Minnesota’s food manufacturing ecosystem. The state ranks among the nation’s leaders in green peas, sweet corn for processing, and snap beans, which support vegetable canning and freezing operations that extend the availability of locally grown crops throughout the year.

Beyond these sectors, Minnesota is home to thousands of other food manufacturers that contribute to a diverse food industry.

Illinois

Illinois is one of America’s largest food manufacturing states, benefiting from its central location, transportation infrastructure, and deep agricultural resources. The state employs a nearly 100,000 workers in food manufacturing, making it one of the largest food processing workforces in the Midwest.

Illinois has a particularly strong presence in snack foods, confectionery manufacturing, and food ingredient production. The Chicago region is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading food manufacturing hubs, producing everything from candy and baked goods to specialty ingredients and packaged snacks.

Family-Supporting Careers for the Future

As Manufacturing Month highlights the importance of modern manufacturing, food processing stands out as an industry providing accessible, family-supporting careers. Employees can build long-term careers as production operators, maintenance technicians, electricians, quality assurance specialists, food scientists, engineers, supervisors, and plant managers.

Across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and the rest of the Midwest, food manufacturers do far more than produce meals and snacks. They strengthen rural communities, create sustainable economic growth, support farmers, and provide rewarding careers for thousands of families. During Manufacturing Month, the contributions of the entire food industry deserve recognition for helping feed America while powering the Midwest economy.