Fresh Mark Adding Space, Jobs and Employee Perks

SALEM, Ohio – A 38,000-square-foot expansion is slated for Fresh Mark Inc. starting in early 2024, which will lead to 800 employees at the plant by year’s end.

According to the company, headquartered in Massillon, construction will begin next month at its 1735 Lincoln Ave. location, and it should be operational in July. The expansion will add 50 jobs to the facility by the end of 2024, adding space to upgrade packaging lines to support the growing workforce and continue the advancement of production technology.

Fresh Mark, which manufactures high-quality Sugardale products such as bacon and ham, began preparing for the expansion in 2023 by consolidating the site, creating a new truck drive to route traffic away from the employee entrance and adding infrastructure to key areas.

“We are excited about the expansion of our Salem facility,” said Alicia Pucky, vice president of corporate responsibility. “By continuing to grow and leverage production technology, we are ensuring that our location and our employees are set up for future success.”

In addition to the expansion, Fresh Mark has planned several benefit upgrades for employees, including new employee connection areas. This includes a partnership with AVI Food Systems Inc. to add a Market C concept, which will provide fresh food and beverage options for employees to purchase at a micro market and newly created lunch and break area. The break area and new locker rooms will be added in the next 18 months.

AVI Food Systems, headquartered in Warren, offers food services to education, health care and business partners, including on-site dining, catering, vending and the micro markets concept.

Fresh Mark also will add a dedicated employee medical center in partnership with Marathon Health in May, providing acute and primary care for Fresh Mark employees at little to no cost.

“It is really convenient for our employees to have access to health care on-site,” Pucky said. “It helps simplify the process, ensuring all of our employees receive the care they need.”

Marathon Health has 230 sites at corporate offices or manufacturing facilities in 43 states, according to the company, providing health care, preventative care and health coaching information.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.