N※N

Omaha Steaks breaks ground on new food safety facility in Papillion

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/22 .. nd-on-new-food-safety-facility-in-papillion.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 18:23 GMT by WOWT.com
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Omaha Steaks Breaks Ground on New Food‑Safety Facility in Papillion, Nebraska

On September 22, 2025, the Omaha Steaks family celebrated a major milestone for the iconic steak brand: the ceremonial breaking of ground for a state‑of‑the‑art food‑safety and quality‑control facility in the small city of Papillion, Nebraska. The new 200,000‑square‑foot complex, scheduled for completion in late 2026, is set to become the company’s central hub for testing, research, and supply‑chain oversight, and is expected to add up to 75 permanent jobs to the local workforce.

A New Chapter in Food‑Safety

Omaha Steaks, founded in 1917 by a small group of Nebraska cattlemen, has long been recognized as a premier source of premium beef and other meats. In recent years, the company has accelerated its investment in safety and traceability, driven by rising consumer expectations and stricter USDA regulations. The new facility in Papillion reflects that commitment, with a design that incorporates the latest testing technologies, advanced pathogen‑detection protocols, and an integrated data‑management system that allows for real‑time monitoring of the supply chain.

“As the consumer’s trust is the foundation of our brand, we are continually investing in ways to safeguard the quality of every cut of meat that leaves our facility,” said John K. McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of Omaha Steaks. “This new center in Papillion will not only enhance our ability to detect and prevent food‑borne illnesses but also reinforce the transparency that our customers expect.”

The facility will house laboratories equipped for microbiological testing (including Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Campylobacter), biochemical analyses, and sensory evaluation. It will also feature a full‑scale cutting‑and‑pack line that will allow the company to conduct in‑house product sampling and verification. “With this in‑depth approach, we can trace every step—from farm to fork—ensuring that only the safest, highest‑quality meats reach our customers,” added McDonald.

Economic Impact and Community Partnership

City officials from Papillion are optimistic about the impact of the new plant. Mayor Linda P. Anderson emphasized that the investment aligns with the city’s long‑term growth strategy. “Omaha Steaks is a respected name in the national market, and this facility represents a significant boost to our local economy,” Anderson said. “Beyond the direct jobs created, the company’s presence will stimulate demand for local services and supplies, strengthening our community for years to come.”

According to preliminary estimates from the Papillion Economic Development Office, the new facility is expected to generate $9 million in local economic activity annually, including a ripple effect that could support up to 200 indirect jobs in the region. The company also announced a partnership with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to provide on‑site training for aspiring food‑safety professionals, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a hub for agribusiness innovation.

Design, Sustainability, and Technology

The plant’s design was conceived in collaboration with the architecture firm Pugh & Associates, whose portfolio includes several USDA‑certified food‑processing facilities. The building will receive a LEED Gold certification, a first for Omaha Steaks. The design incorporates solar panels that will power approximately 30 % of the facility’s energy needs, a rain‑water harvesting system that will irrigate the company’s on‑site greenhouses, and a waste‑to‑energy system that will convert animal‑by‑product waste into biogas for use in the plant’s steam generation.

In terms of technology, Omaha Steaks is investing in rapid pathogen‑detection systems such as the BioFire® FilmArray® platform, which can identify multiple bacterial and viral pathogens in under an hour. The plant will also employ automated robotics for sample handling, reducing human exposure and improving consistency.

“Food safety is no longer a question of ‘can we do it?’—it’s a question of ‘how fast and how accurately can we do it?’,” explained Dr. Susan L. Hayes, the plant’s incoming Director of Food‑Safety and Quality. “By leveraging cutting‑edge technology, we can respond to potential hazards almost instantaneously, protecting our customers and preserving the brand’s integrity.”

A Legacy of Quality

Omaha Steaks’ dedication to quality spans more than a century. The company’s flagship product line, “Omaha Steaks Premium”, has earned a reputation for exceptional marbling, consistent texture, and robust flavor profiles. The company’s acquisition of several family farms across the Midwest has given it unprecedented control over animal genetics, feed, and raising practices—an advantage that is now being extended to the new food‑safety hub.

“We want to assure our customers that every steak that leaves our facility not only tastes great but also meets the highest safety standards,” said McDonald. “The new Papillion plant is a physical embodiment of that promise.”

Timeline and Next Steps

Groundbreaking took place on a sunny September morning, with the company’s founders, city officials, and local media in attendance. Construction, expected to span 18 months, is slated to begin in early October 2025. The company plans to open its doors to the public for a “behind‑the‑scenes” tour in June 2026, following a phased commissioning process that will involve rigorous testing and certification from USDA and independent auditors.

Once operational, the facility will be integrated into Omaha Steaks’ national distribution network, ensuring that all product batches that come through the plant undergo full laboratory testing before shipping to retailers and direct‑to‑consumer e‑commerce orders.

A Look Forward

As the new food‑safety facility takes shape, Omaha Steaks signals a future in which transparency, technology, and community engagement are the pillars of the premium meat industry. With its new Papillion plant, the brand is not only safeguarding its legacy but also setting a benchmark for others in the sector.

For more details on the new facility, its environmental credentials, and the broader implications for the meat industry, visit the official Omaha Steaks website or the City of Papillion’s Economic Development page. The plant’s completion will likely be covered in upcoming editions of Food Safety Magazine and Agri‑Business Daily, offering further insights into how the industry is evolving to meet the demands of a safety‑conscious consumer base.