Conagra Building Snacking Innovation Center

Conagra Brands is building its Center for Food Design next to its existing headquarters in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. The new 40,000-square-foot innovation center is an expansion of its existing Research & Development and Culinary capabilities, and will focus on snacking innovations such as food and packaging design, a $2 billion business for the manufacturer.

“The Conagra Brands Center for Food Design in Chicago will be a fresh, collaborative space with state-of-the-art capabilities to provide our talented team with the right resources to help grow Conagra’s snacking business,” said Corey Berends, SVP, research and development, for Conagra Brands. “In addition, the expansive kitchen and tasting area will be an ideal place to collaborate with our customers and develop new food solutions.”

Photograph courtesy of Conagra

The facility is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2020 and house up to 50 employees, including food and packaging designers and members of the company’s culinary team.

The Center for Food Design and Technology will continue to operate in Omaha, Neb., and will continue to focus on Conagra’s frozen, refrigerated and shelf-stable meals, as well as condiments and enhancers. The Omaha facility also remains the hub for the company's food safety and technology/development teams.