The world population, which stood at 6.8 billion in 2009, is projected to reach 9 billion in 2050 – a staggering 25% global increase.  As the population rises, the demand for food increases as well, and food and beverage companies in the Greater Louisville region are responding to these dramatic trends.    

More than 120 food and beverage companies are located in this region, collectively employing well over 10,000 individuals and accounting for $8.2 billion in annual revenue.  The largest member of this industry cluster is the Brown-Forman Corporation.  Headquartered in Louisville, Brown-Forman is among the top ten spirits companies in the world.  Many food companies have begun and grown in this area because of their supplier relationships with another local corporation, Yum! Brands.  Yum! Brands include KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silver’s, and A&W Restaurants and collectively represents the world’s largest restaurant company with revenues of nearly $11 billion. Ultimately, the region’s food strengths lie in the diversity of the products produced here - from tomato sauce to tortillas, peanut butter to pork, bourbon to baked goods, and more.

Food and beverage companies in this area take advantage of our regional assets including:

Strategic Location 
Cost Savings 
Talent & Industry Expertise 
Global Networks 

STRATEGIC LOCATION

• Louisville is located within 500 miles of nearly half of the U.S. population.  Raw materials and ingredients are easily brought in, and high-value finished products are cost effectively shipped out.
• Greater Louisville is home to UPS’s only all-points international air hub, which gives local companies a strategic time advantage in e-commerce, supply chain management and customer service.   

COST SAVINGS

• Companies located in Louisville enjoy highly reliable, low cost utilities – including power, water, and sewer services.  Utilities combined with competitive labor rates, real estate costs, and a favorable tax structure result in an overall cost of doing business that is well below the national average.
• State and local incentives are available to support food and beverage companies when they come to the region and as they continue to grow here. Grants, tax credits and rebates, and low-interest loans are available to offset costs incurred to upgrade equipment, add manufacturing lines, hire new employees, invest in R&D, enhance employee skills, and more.
• Sourcing raw materials locally is both environmentally friendly and cost effective. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture through their Kentucky Proud initiative is uniquely positioned to connect local growers to local processors resulting in sustainable growth for all.

TALENT & INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

• For more than ten years, the University of Louisville’s Food Processing Program has been providing technical expertise to local food companies regarding food formulation, nutritional analysis and labeling, focus group and taste paneling sensory requests, etc.  Tapping into the resources of one of the country’s fastest growing research universities is a recipe for success for many companies.
• Food scientists in this community benefit from their engagement with the Bluegrass Chapter of the Institute of Food Technologists. The chapter provides access to global trends and market insights as well as connections to local scientists tackling related challenges.

GLOBAL NETWORKS

• Food is truly a global enterprise, and Greater Louisville’s food companies are increasingly targeting international markets for opportunity.  These companies are leveraging global relationships being forged by the Greater Louisville International Professionals, the International Trade Division of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the Kentucky World Trade Center, and others.   
• When it comes to attracting the global corporations and global talent reflected in the food industry, the Louisville region is outpacing its competitors in meeting this challenge. Louisville’s international population is growing faster than the national average, and business and civic leadership have embraced this trend making Louisville a welcoming community for internationals and international investment.