Consumers
Company History
Our Rich History
Little did D.R. Sanderson, D.R. Sanderson Jr. and Joe Frank Sanderson realize 60 years ago that their small family-owned business would become the fourth largest poultry producer in the United States.
The year was 1947 and the Sanderson’s opened a farm supply business that sold seed, feed, fertilizer and farm supplies. During the next few years, the Sanderson brothers added poultry production to their business and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, Sanderson Farms is one of the nation’s leading food corporations, with annual sales of more than $1.978 billion. Our plants in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia and North Carolina process over 9.7 million chickens per week. Combined with our seven feed mills and eight hatcheries, we continue to meet the growing demand for our products. We are excited about a newest facility ramping up to full production in Kinston, North Carolina, further increasing our production.
More than 10,000 employees and over 770 independent growers are committed to offering our customers the very best. Perhaps that’s why products carrying the Sanderson Farms® name can be found in nearly every state in the country as well as overseas.
Our Commitment
Throughout Sanderson Farms, we are committed to taking a fresh approach to everything we do. Not only where our products are concerned, but companywide as well. Though we have grown in size, we still adhere to the same hometown values – honesty, integrity and innovation – that have been with us since the Sanderson brothers founded the company in 1947. We are very proud of our legacy. And we look forward to continuing to serve our customers and consumers with unmatched customer service and superior products in the years to come.
The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association invites you to take an in-depth look at America’s poultry industry. Through continuous research and innovation, this dynamic industry remains on the forefront of food production while preserving the American tradition of the family farm.
