Lexington, October 16, 2025
News Summary
Critchfield Meats has inaugurated a new 53,000 square-foot processing and distribution plant in Lexington, aiming to double its production capacity. This significant expansion will allow the company to better serve clients across five states, including restaurants and grocery stores. The local community proudly celebrated the milestone with notable attendees, and the company plans to continue providing high-quality meat products despite challenges posed by rising beef costs.
Lexington – Critchfield Meats officially inaugurated its new processing and distribution plant in Lexington on Wednesday morning, a significant expansion aimed at enhancing the company’s wholesale operations. This latest investment is poised to double the company’s production capacity, allowing it to better serve a widening customer base that includes restaurants, universities, and grocery stores across five states.
The new facility, located at Jaggie Fox Way, covers an impressive 53,000 square feet and was previously occupied by God’s Pantry, which relocated earlier this year. Since starting operations in this newer space in early June, Critchfield Meats has expanded its workforce by hiring eight new employees.
At the opening ceremony, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell highlighted the importance of creating local opportunities for meat producers. Local leadership was well-represented during the ribbon-cutting event, with notable attendance from Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman and Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton.
Critchfield Meats, a staple of the Lexington community for over 56 years, was founded in 1969 by Mark Critchfield’s parents. The company is best known for its retail market located on Southland Drive in Lexington, where it has built a loyal customer base. The expansion to this new processing facility underscores the company’s commitment to growth and adaptability in the ever-evolving meat production industry.
Despite the advancements offered by the new plant, Critchfield Meats President Mark Critchfield pointed out that the new facility alone will not solve the ongoing issue of rising beef costs. Price fluctuations are influenced by broader economic factors such as low herd levels and increasing demand due to population growth.
This expansion comes at a time when local meat producers face numerous challenges, including market volatility and changing consumer preferences. With the increased capacity, Critchfield Meats aims to help mitigate some of these pressures by producing higher quantities and potentially lowering distribution costs.
Critchfield Meats remains committed to serving its local community, priding itself on providing high-quality meat products. The new plant is expected to bolster these efforts, making it easier for the company to meet the diverse needs of its customers.
As the Lexington community celebrates this milestone for a long-standing local business, the economic impact of such expansions highlights the importance of supporting local agriculture and food production initiatives in Kentucky.
FAQ
1. What is Critchfield Meats?
Critchfield Meats is a family-owned meat processing company that has been serving the Lexington area for over 56 years.
2. Where is the new processing plant located?
The new facility is located at Jaggie Fox Way in Lexington, covering 53,000 square feet.
3. How many new employees were hired with the expansion?
Critchfield Meats hired eight new employees since moving into the new facility.
4. What is the expected impact of the new plant?
The new plant is expected to double Critchfield Meats’ production capacity and enhance its ability to serve customers including restaurants and grocery stores across five states.
5. What challenges does the meat industry currently face?
Rising beef costs due to low herd levels and increasing demand are significant challenges facing the industry.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- WKYT News
- LEX18 News
- Fox 56 News
- WTVQ News
- Smiley Pete Publishing
- Wikipedia: Meat Processing
- Google Search: Critchfield Meats
- Google Scholar: Meat Processing Industry
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Meat Processing
- Google News: Critchfield Meats
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
