Southern New Jersey emerges as global food manufacturing hub

Key points:

• Cumberland County is emerging as a hub for European food manufacturers investing in U.S. production.
• Italian, French, and Swiss firms are driving over $1B in industrial impact and job creation.
• Specialized food infrastructure and proactive recruitment are reinforcing the county’s global growth strategy.

February 2026 — Global manufacturers are planting their flags in the United States, and Southern New Jersey is quietly becoming the destination of choice.

In the past three years alone, several European firms have made substantial investments in large-scale production and administrative facilities in Cumberland County, NJ. As a result, the county has transformed into a significant anchor point for global supply chains serving the broader American market.

What began as a handful of foreign-owned facilities has evolved into a cluster of Italian meat producers, Swiss construction materials manufacturers, and French producers of plant-based beverages, whose investments are energizing the local economy. 

“While neighboring counties emphasize logistics, we prioritize manufacturing, particularly in food and refrigeration,” Gerard Velazquez, president and CEO of The Authority (Cumberland County Improvement Authority), told Invest:.

A combination of factors drives the momentum: proximity to major consumer markets on the East Coast, comparatively affordable industrial land, and a growing business ecosystem tailored to food production and advanced manufacturing. The synergy created by these assets is translating into new jobs, enhanced infrastructure, and long-term capital investment. 

Cumberland County’s recognition of the growing demand for premium foods and its targeted recruitment of the producers of those foods is a case study for state and local officials seeking “smart growth” opportunities.

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A Legacy of International Industry

Cumberland County has a long history as the U.S. home of international manufacturing firms. One of the most prominent examples is its decades-long relationship with Durand Glass Manufacturing, part of France-based Arc International, which established operations in Millville in the early 1980s. 

The plant became a major regional employer and helped anchor the county’s industrial base for generations, supplying tableware and glass products across North America. Durand played an integral role in attracting another French-based company, T-Fal, a division of Groupe SEB, to locate their cookware and small appliance manufacturing facility in Cumberland County. 

Cumberland County’s legacy as an attractive location for international investment laid the foundation for today’s diverse mix of international firms.

Firms such as Danone North America, which produces plant-based and dairy beverages from its state-of-the-art production facility in Bridgeton, helped blaze a trail to Cumberland County and has become a steady stream of innovative premium food producers.  

A New Wave of Global Food Producers

In the past three years, three Italian specialty meat producers have chosen Cumberland County for their U.S. expansion. 

Italian charcuterie producer Rovagnati opened a 64,000 square-foot plant in Vineland in 2021 — its first U.S. production facility. Since then, the plant has mass-produced prosciutto and other cured meats for the American market, employing full-time workers and supplying more than 2,000 retail stores nationwide. 

Rovagnati’s success also served as a model for additional Italian specialty meat producers, including Levoni, a historic Italian firm that launched its first national production site in Millville in 2024.

Maestri D’Italia Inc. similarly established a U.S. production facility for high-quality deli and charcuterie products in Vineland, NJ. The 70,000 sf plant, the first phase of their expansion, began operations in 2024.

Levoni has described the New Jersey location as central to its North American growth strategy, driven by the need to meet rising demand for premium imported-style meats produced domestically.

“We have created a pipeline for Italian companies to come to Cumberland County by providing the resources they need to be successful,” said Velazquez. “The relationships we have built have created an atmosphere of collaboration among our Italian firms whereby one Company’s success leads to another.  In fact, we have another company exploring Cumberland County as a site for relocation.”

This clustering effect is significant for Cumberland’s economic profile. With multiple international firms operating regionally, the county has been able to expand its reputation abroad as a viable landing spot for international food companies entering the U.S. market. 

Economic Impact

The arrival of international firms has had tangible effects on employment and local business activity. New manufacturing plants continue to create direct jobs in production, quality control, logistics, and management, while also supporting indirect employment through packaging suppliers, transportation providers, maintenance contractors, and professional services.

According to The Authority of Cumberland County, which leads economic development efforts, the county has facilitated more than $1 billion in economic impact over recent years — much of it tied to industrial and food manufacturing projects. 

The multiplier effects extend well beyond plant walls, strengthening small and mid-sized businesses throughout the region.

Infrastructure improvements have likewise followed. Road upgrades, utility investments, and site redevelopment have been undertaken to support larger-scale production, often with public-private coordination.

Growth Infrastructure

A defining advantage for Cumberland County is its specialized support infrastructure for food manufacturers. 

For instance, the Rutgers Food Innovation Center in Bridgeton helps food companies — including foreign entrants — navigate U.S. compliance requirements and enter the American market.  

The center also operates as a food business incubation and accelerator facility, offering FDA- and USDA-inspected shared processing space, regulatory guidance, training, and market research. 

Complementing that is the Food Specialization Center (FSC), a 32,000-square-foot facility that opened in 2021 and is operated by The Authority. The FSC provides international food businesses with essential services that reduce upfront capital costs, such as customizable production, freezer, and shipping space. 

Challenges

Despite the momentum, these international firms face hurdles. Regulatory compliance — particularly in food processing — can be complex and costly. Workforce availability, while improving, also remains a concern as manufacturers compete for skilled labor. At the same time, rising energy and transportation costs pose risks, especially for export-oriented operations.

“From our perspective, we need to be prepared to help our businesses succeed,” Velazquez said. “We are already having conversations with new manufacturers about workforce availability and…despite the current global uncertainties, we will be prepared.”

Outlook

Cumberland County is still maturing into a hub for international firms, but its trajectory is clear, as Velazquez notes. Many international firms are betting big on its long-term potential and growing global industrial network. 

With an increasing number of these manufacturers seeking both stable and cost-effective U.S. footholds, the county’s blend of legacy manufacturing, state-of-the-art food infrastructure, and proactive economic development places it in a strong competitive position.

Want more? Read the Invest: New Jersey report.