About Us

Our team is our best asset.

“WE’VE GOTTEN A LOT BIGGER, BUT I THINK OUR FOUNDING PRINCIPLES ARE THE SAME. WE STILL HAVE THE FARMER-OWNED MENTALITY, AND WE LIVE THAT EVERY DAY”.
—Brandon Achen, President

Celebrating 25 Years

West Liberty Foods was formed in 1996 under the guiding principles of the Iowa Turkey Growers Cooperative. Carrying on Iowa’s rich farming tradition, our grower/owners are committed to animal health and welfare while delivering superior-quality turkeys—a philosophy that has helped family farms grow and thrive for generations. The continued success of West Liberty Foods is due to the dedication, enthusiasm and support of our grower/owners.

25 Years of Growth

1996

Iowa Turkey Growers Cooperative

47 Iowa turkey growers form the Iowa Turkey Growers Cooperative (ITGC).

Purchase of Louis Rich Facility

ITGC purchases former Louis Rich facility in West Liberty, Iowa.

1997

First Turkeys Processed

The first turkeys are processed by West Liberty Foods.

2002

R&D Center Opens In West Liberty

Research and development center opens in West Liberty, Iowa.

2003

Mount Pleasant Facility Opens

Mount Pleasant, Iowa, facility opens with Clean Room Food Processing Systems in place—first in the nation with this technology.

2005

Quality Assurance Lab Opens

State-of-the-art quality assurance laboratory opens in West Liberty, Iowa.

2007

New facility opens in Tremonton, Utah

New facility opens in Tremonton, Utah—built around sustainability and setting new standards in food safety.

Advances In Slicing Operations

West Liberty Foods becomes the first US manufacturer to use 10-foot logs in everyday slicing operations.

2008

Hearts & Hands Children’s Academy Opens

Hearts & Hands Children’s Academy opens, providing child care for West Liberty Foods team members.

2010

Clean Room Patent

Clean Room Food Processing Systems, Methods and Structures patented.

2012

Founded Community Bridge Nonprofit Organization

Founded Community Bridge nonprofit organization to support members of the West Liberty Foods family through special projects and participation in over 80 local community organizations.

Verified Landfill-Free

West Liberty Foods is the first US manufacturer of its size to be verified landfill-free by NSF International Strategic Registrations.

2013

HPP Systems Installed

Mount Pleasant and Tremonton facilities install High Pressure Processing (HPP) systems.

2014

Bolingbrook Facility Opens

Bolingbrook, Illinois, manufacturing facility opens.

Iowa Sustainable Business Forum (ISBF)

Founding member of the Iowa Sustainable Business Forum (ISBF), an exchange of best practices that positively impact people, the planet and profits for Iowa businesses.

2016

Bolingbrook ISO Certification

Bolingbrook ISO certification and landfill-free verification achieved.

2017

Crystal Lake Farms Purchased

Purchased Crystal Lake Farms, a pasture-raised, slow-growth chicken operation located in Decatur, Arkansas.

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