Illinois is more than just the crossroads of America—it is a cornerstone of our nation’s food supply. With more than 2,600 food manufacturers operating throughout the state, Illinois leads the nation in processed food sales, bringing in $180 billion each year. From the rolling fields of grains to the bustling production lines in Chicago, our state transforms raw agricultural goods into the foods families rely on each and every day.
A Chicago Classic
No conversation about food manufacturing in Illinois is complete without mentioning the hotdog—more specifically, a Vienna Beef hotdog. Vienna, a titan in the Midwest’s meat industry, has called the Windy City home since debuting their franks at the 1893 World’s Fair. 132 years later, the beloved Chicago institution now produces millions of hotdogs annually, with two factories here in Illinois. Despite their synonymy with Chicago, these dogs aren’t just locally loved—they are part of a national tradition, served best in the classic Chicago style that made this summer staple a classic.
Kings Of Ketchup
Whether or not you choose to dress your Chicago Red Hots with ketchup is none of our business, but national brands such as Hunt’s, Kraft, and Heinz rely on Illinois manufacturing for much of theirs. Prominent condiment conglomerates such as Conagra Foods and Kraft Heinz have maintained headquarters in Illinois for years and continue to scale their manufacturing locally, with the latter company set to open a new DeKalb-based, automated distribution facility in 2027. The $400 million investment will create more than 150 jobs and help facilitate the distribution of over 60% of the company’s dry goods across North America. Whether it be ketchup on your fries or mac and cheese at the dinner table, these popular foods owe their flavor and freshness to hardworking Illinoisans.
Serving up Snacks and Sweets
Illinois leads the way in snack manufacturing, too. Nabisco’s Chicago facility remains the largest bakery in the world, spanning 1.8 million square feet and producing 320 million pounds of snack annually. This plant churns out Oreos, Chips Ahoy!, Ritz Crackers, and more! Mars Wrigley also maintains a strong presence in Illinois, with facilities in Chicago and Yorkville. The Yorkville plant recently underwent a $50 million expansion, adding a new Skittles production line and creating 75 new jobs. Mars has invested nearly $200 million in Illinois over the past seven years, producing iconic brands like M&M’s, Snickers, and Starburst.
Grains Galore
While the groceries you pick out from the store likely made their way through several factories before hitting the shelves, all of the delicious foods we enjoy began their journey to our dinner tables on a farm. Our state’s agricultural backbone, especially its grain production, fuels our success. Illinois ranks among the top producers of corn and soybeans in the nation, partially in part thanks to our infrastructure, which allows us to harvest and then transform these crops into finished goods with tremendous efficiency. In 2024 alone, Illinois farmers harvested 2.31 billion bushels of corn and 688 million bushels of soybeans, powering everything from cooking oils to breakfast cereals.
Food manufacturing isn’t just about feeding America—it’s also about sustaining communities. Food manufacturing jobs offer solid wages, good benefits, and a deep sense of pride that comes from keeping shelves stocked coast to coast. From machine operators and food scientists to logistics managers and sanitation crews, the tens of thousands of Illinoisans who work in food manufacturing are at the heart of this thriving industry. As global food insecurity only continues to rise, Illinois is well-positioned to keep leading the charge, thanks to our adept workforce, prime location, and groundbreaking innovations. From farms to factories and shipping center floors, food manufacturers in our state make a world of difference.