Yearly Archives: 2014

Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson, ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, visited Sparboe Farms’ recently renovated “Prairie” farm in Litchfield, Minn. to tour one of the company’s new “enrichable” barns and state-of-the art processing facility.

The tour, hosted by Sparboe Farms’ President Beth Sparboe Schnell and Director of Production Operations Mark Kellen, gave Congressman Peterson an inside look into the kind of facility that will take safe, efficient egg production and quality hen care into the future.

Sparboe Farms’ Prairie complex was not only the company’s first farm built, but also Minnesota’s first and largest in-line egg production facility, originally constructed in 1974. This recent multi-faceted renovation project involved the construction of three new “enrichable” barns that combine industry best practices in ventilation, lighting, automation and animal care; a water treatment facility that recycles water used to wash eggs for crop irrigation; and a new processing plant that stands to be one of the top 10 most automated in the country; among other facility additions. The result is a modern egg farm with an optimal laying environment for hens; a cleaner, safer work facility for employees; and the opportunity for improved efficiency.

Congressman Peterson’s tour was followed by an interactive discussion with Sparboe executives and managers, and representatives from other local businesses, many of whom reside in the Litchfield area. He gave an overview on the latest farm bill, and also fielded questions on the impact of Minnesota’s new minimum wage requirements and healthcare costs, California’s egg law, and the EPA’s proposed rules for waters of the United States. As a longtime advocate of rural America, he also confirmed his commitment to helping ensure the voices of rural communities—and the importance of farming—are not lost as more people move into the city.

What You Need to Know

Fresh eggs must be handled carefully to avoid the possibility of foodborne illness, often called “food poisoning.” Even eggs with clean, uncracked shells may occasionally contain bacteria called Salmonella that can cause an intestinal infection.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that 142,000 illnesses each year are caused by consuming eggs contaminated with Salmonella. FDA has put regulations in place to help prevent contamination of eggs on the farm and during shipping and storage. But consumers play a key role in preventing illness associated with eggs. In fact, the most effective way to prevent egg-related illness is by knowing how to buy, store, handle and cook eggs — or foods that contain them — safely. Click on the following link to learn some safe handling tips that will help protect yourself and your family.

http://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/Consumers/ucm077342.htm

We kicked off our 60th anniversary celebration at the Litchfield Watercade kiddie parade this morning. Henrietta hen and some egg friends were there!

What an absolute blast at the Watercade parade tonight! 100 walkers having great fun in the sun!

Well the wind got the best of us and the Watercade little crow ski show was postponed but not before we handed out hundreds of free ‘eggs on a stick’ (hard boiled egg on a pretzel) and had people try their hand at a few fun games. What a great way to wrap up a terrific weekend!!!

Honored as grand marshal of the 2014 Litchfield Watercade parade, an annual community event in the company’s “hometown” of Litchfield, Minn., Sparboe Farms was recently highlighted by the local newspaper Litchfield Independent Review in “60 Years Strong as Member of Community.” President Beth Schnell talks candidly about receiving this recognition. Read the full story.

In conjunction with Sparboe Farms’ 60th anniversary, employees of the company’s egg further processing division, Sparboe Foods, participated in New Hampton’s annual Heartland Days  weekend of events. A proud group of Sparboe employees, including one donning a chicken costume, walked in the Friday evening parade. Sparboe Foods also staffed a booth to hand out “eggs on a stick,” which are hard-boiled eggs on a pretzel.

Sparboe Foods is a leading egg breaking and further processing company located in New Hampton, Iowa. Founded in 1996, Sparboe Foods serves industrial and foodservice customers throughout central and western United States. The company is part of a portfolio of companies owned by Minnesota-based Sparboe Companies, which also owns leading U.S. egg producer and marketer Sparboe Farms, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Egg Company Sparboe Farms Celebrates 60^th Anniversary

Litchfield, Minn.—Sparboe Farms, a longstanding family owned U.S. egg producer and marketer, celebrates 60 years in business in August 2014. Started as a day-old chick distributor in 1954, the company today is one of the nation’s leading shell egg producers with six chicken farms, five processing plants and an egg further processing plant operated by Sparboe Foods.

In honor of Sparboe Farms’ 60^th anniversary and as a testament to the company’s strong commitment to supporting its farm communities, the company and its employees are participating in dozens of community events throughout the summer months, including town parades, fairs and a farmers’ market. The company will also host employee appreciation events to celebrate its employees at all locations in July and August.

Sparboe Farms, Inc. is a third generation, family owned business headquartered in Litchfield, Minn. Founded in 1954 by Robert “Bob” Sparboe, the company started as a local baby chick distributor and has evolved into a leading shell egg producer with chicken farms and processing plants in Minnesota, Iowa and Colorado. Sparboe Farms provides fresh shell eggs and egg products to grocery, foodservice and industrial customers in the United States and around the world, and is part of a portfolio of companies owned by Minnesota-based Sparboe Companies. For more information, visit www.sparboe.com or follow Sparboe Farms at www.facebook.com/SparboeFarms.

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