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Freshpet Production Operator Darlene Brosky PHOTO/DONNA FISCHER COURTESY LVEDC
Freshpet expansion helps grow Lehigh Valley food manufacturing sector
Stacy Wescoe//August 26, 2026//
The Lehigh Valley is growing as a destination for pet food manufacturing.
The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation is reporting that Freshpet is nearing completion on a first-of-its-kind cold storage facility in Bethlehem.
The facility, which will allow the company to store its refrigerated pet food products will help make Freshpet’s distribution more efficient.
The 216,000-square-foot building is located in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VII.
Freshpet first came to the Lehigh Valley in 2013 with the opening of the Freshpet Kitchen production facility in Hanover Township, Northampton County.
It has since expanded operations there several times, the LVEDC noted.
The company makes fresh, minimally processed meals and treats for dogs and cats with no fillers or preservatives.
“This new distribution center is an important step forward as we continue to grow alongside the families who count on us,” said Nicki Baty, Freshpet’s COO. “Located just minutes from our Bethlehem Kitchen, it gives us greater control over our operations and the scalability we need to keep pace with our growth, while positioning us to support Freshpet for years to come.”
Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the LVEDC noted that the Lehigh Valley is among the Top 15% of manufacturing markets in the U.S., with more than 700 manufacturers producing a collective output of $9 billion.
Food and beverage manufacturing is one of the high-value sectors targeted for growth in Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC)’s Strategic Plan.
“Freshpet’s impressive growth continues right along with the renaissance of the Lehigh Valley,” said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of LVEDC.
He noted that about 35% of pet food manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania are located in the Lehigh Valley, and the region has 13 times the number of jobs as the national average. In addition to Freshpet, companies that operate in the Lehigh Valley include Spot & Tango and Nestle Purina.
In addition to the Freshpet expansion, Spot & Tango recently announced a $20 million expansion to its production center in Upper Macungie Township that will double production capacity within a year or two.
