Ahold Delhaize's Infinity Fresh Kitchen Gets Cooking

A fresh-food processing facility for making salads, sandwiches and other grab-and-go deli items to serve the supermarkets of Ahold Delhaize USA has opened in North Kingstown, R.I.

Retail Business Services, the services arm of Ahold Delhaize, said production of leaf, grain and pasta salads, sandwiches and wraps is already underway at the facility, to be known as Infinity Fresh Kitchen. These items are expected to go initially to Ahold Delhaize’s Stop & Shop and Hannaford brands, but could also serve other retail businesses.

In 2020, the facility will begin producing cut fruit and vegetables and introduce a Culinary Innovation Center—a test lab for new fresh and private label items, the company said.

“We’re proud to officially open our doors and begin production,” said Roger Wheeler, president of Retail Business Services. “This facility is an integral part of our business and will help us provide our grocery retail partners and their customers with innovative, fresh, convenient items that surprise and delight. We’re also proud to now officially be part of the North Kingstown community. Our team has already been out volunteering at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, and we look forward to continuing to engage.”

Taylor Farms, the Salinas, Calif.-based fresh food company that operates 11 U.S. facilities assembling fresh foods such as salads, prepared meals and deli items, is serving as a strategic partner to Retail Business Services in the Infinity Kitchen and will manage the facility’s operations and workforce.

Taylor Farms has already hired about 250 employees to staff the facility.

“We’re pleased to work with Retail Business Services on this innovative facility and excited that it’s now up and running,” said Bruce Taylor, CEO of Taylor Farms. “We’ve got a great team in place for initial operations and look forward to creating a great place to work and being a partner in the community.”