Page 377 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

25

FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCT

MANUFACTURING APPLICATIONS

25.1 Industry Overview

NAICS code: all 31100s

INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT

27,915 food product manufacturers’ operations in the United States
1,506,932 employees
$458.8 billion in annual sales
2.7 tons of solid waste generation per employee
Major waste streams: paper, food by-products, and plastics

Workers in the food-manufacturing industry link farmers and other agricultural pro-
ducers with consumers. They do this by processing raw fruits, vegetables, grains,
meats, and dairy products into finished goods ready for the grocer or wholesaler to sell
to households, restaurants, or institutional food services.
Food-manufacturing workers perform tasks as varied as the many foods we eat. For
example, they slaughter, dress, and cut meat or poultry; process milk, cheese, and
other dairy products; can and preserve fruits, vegetables, and frozen specialties; man-
ufacture flour, cereal, pet foods, and other grain mill products; bake bread, cookies,
cakes, and other bakery products; manufacture sugar, candy, and other confectionery
products; process shortening, margarine, and other fats and oils; and prepare packaged
seafood, coffee, potato and corn chips, and peanut butter. Although this list is long, it
is not exhaustive. Food-manufacturing workers also play a part in delivering numerous
other food products to our tables.

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