Cargill to Purchase Waco-Based Turkey Processor

Cargill's North American Turkey Operations and Plantation Foods, Inc. have reached a tentative agreement under which Cargill will purchase 100% of Plantation's privately-held stock.

Plantation Foods will continue to operate under that name until it's merged into Cargill at a later date.

With headquarters in Springdale, AR, Cargill's turkey business has processing facilities in Springdale and Ozark, AR, and California, Missouri. The company processed 29 million turkeys in 1997, sold primarily whole to grocery stores.

Plantation Foods has its headquarters and processing facilities in Waco, TX. Last year, the company processed eight million turkeys. With about 1,780 employees, the company also produces ready-to-serve products for restaurants, schools, hotels and other institutions.

Cargill has been in the turkey business since 1967. Based in Minneapolis, the company is an international marketer, processor and distributor of agricultural, food, financial and industrial products.

Plantation Foods Inc. has been processing turkeys since 1965.