Food & Beverage

The Lynchburg region boasts a strong talent pool in the food and beverage industry, supported by several regional educational institutions:

• Central Virginia Community College offers specialized programs in industry and manufacturing, preparing students for careers in production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering.
• Sweetbriar College’s Leadership in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems certificate is available to any student and heightens the available talent in the region capable of impacting a business’ ESG goals.
• Nearby Virginia Tech’s Food & Technology undergraduate program has been nationally recognized among the top 10 food science programs in the U.S. with career tracks in product development, food chemistry, food packaging and more.

This robust training pipeline ensures a steady flow of skilled professionals to meet industry demands. Currently, the Lynchburg region employs 1,500 individuals in the food and beverage processing sector, supporting the goals of more than 20 companies

As the center-most state on the east coast, Virginia has much to offer companies seeking to intensify their distribution efforts. Particularly, the Lynchburg region provides an excellent location for food and beverage processing companies, thanks to its strategic geographic advantages and robust infrastructure. Proximity to major markets is a key benefit, with the region situated just an hour’s drive from Virginia’s largest interstates, I-64 running east to west and I-81 running north to south. This easy access ensures efficient distribution and logistics, reaching a vast consumer base quickly and cost-effectively.

The Lynchburg region also boasts an impressive water supply, critical for food and beverage processing. More than 25 million gallons of excess water capacity per day is sourced from the reliable Pedlar Reservoir and the James River. This abundant water availability ensures companies can operate without resource constraints, further supporting their production needs.

The Lynchburg region is home to a vibrant food and beverage industry, with standout niches in snack food manufacturing, nutritional products, and dairy product manufacturing. Companies in this sector generate nearly $1.25 billion in exports annually. The Frito-Lay distribution center is a major player, with its 410,000-square-foot facility with four production lines located in the Ivy Creek Innovation Center.

Abbott Nutrition, based in Altavista for over two decades, produces and distributes nationally recognized pediatric products like Similac and Pedialyte across the country. The Lynchburg region also boasts a thriving craft beer scene, with breweries such as Starr Hill Brewery and Three Roads Brewing Company contributing to its dynamic food and beverage landscape.