Nature’s Fynd to open new manufacturing plant in Chicago

CHICAGO — Nature’s Fynd, the manufacturer of Fy, an alternative protein sourced from fungi and produced through fermentation, has announced plans to build a new 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Chicago. The new facility will include a new R&D and innovation center, the company said.

Nature’s Fynd, which currently operates out of a 35,000-square-foot facility in the historic Union Stockyards on Chicago’s South Side, recently raised $350 million in Series C funding to accelerate its commercialization and global expansion.

“Following our successful retail launch in California, we are excited to expand our distribution to Chicago and other cities over the coming months,” said Thomas Jonas, chief executive officer. “Bolstering our production capacity in Chicago is the next major milestone as we bring our Fy-based foods that are better for people and better for our planet to more stores.”

Nature’s Fynd currently employs 152 people across its Chicago headquarters and Bozeman, Mont., R&D center. The company expects to add more than 200 new jobs in Chicago for a total of 350 employees by the end of 2023.

Products currently manufactured by Nature’s Fynd include a dairy-free cream cheese and meatless breakfast patties. The company said it expects to introduce additional dairy- and meat-alternative applications later this year.