Walmart Deepens Investment in U.S. Beef Supply Chain
Walmart has opened its first owned-and-operated case-ready beef facility in Olathe, Kansas, a move the retailer said will enhance resiliency, transparency, and efficiency in its supply chain for Angus beef, benefiting shoppers across the Midwest.
"The opening of our new facility in Olathe, Kansas, is centered on delivering more of what our customers want: affordable food and quality they can trust," said John Laney, executive vice president of food for Walmart U.S. "This is the first case-ready facility fully owned and operated by Walmart, and that milestone ensures we're able to bring more consistency, more transparency and more value to our customers."
In 2022, Walmart made an equity investment in Sustainable Beef LLC in North Platte, Nebraska, as part of an effort to create an end-to-end supply chain for Angus beef. Sustainable Beef's majority ownership is local and producer-centric, with cattle sourced from no more than a 250-mile radius of the plant.
The newly opened, 300,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will package and distribute Angus cuts sourced directly from Sustainable Beef LLC to stores across the Midwest.
The new facility will create more than 600 Walmart jobs for Olathe and the surrounding community. The facility will process fresh beef into case-ready cuts, packaged and ready for retail, which are then shipped directly to Walmart distribution centers to serve stores in the Midwest. The facility is also expected to generate increased business for suppliers and service providers, further amplifying the facility's effect on the community.
During today’s grand opening celebration, Walmart awarded grants to the following local organizations:
- Kansas Special Olympics: $35,000 Special Olympics Kansas provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, promoting physical fitness, courage, and friendship.
- Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City: $20,000 The Boys & Girls Club inspires kids to live out their potential by providing safe, fun, and enriching after-school and summer programs focused on academics, leadership, and healthy lifestyles.
- Friends In Service of Heroes: $30,000 Friends In Service of Heroes is dedicated to supporting veterans and their families by providing life-changing resources, mobility assistance, and emotional support to those who have served our country.
- Mayor Bacon’s Book Club: $5,000 Mayor Bacon’s Book Club fosters a love of reading among Olathe’s young students by providing free books and encouraging literacy through engaging events and community partnerships.
According to Walmart, the opening of the new Olathe facility is the next step in Walmart’s strategy to build an end-to-end supply chain for Angus beef. These efforts also support Walmart’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing and pledge to invest $350 billion in U.S.-made products by 2031. More than two-thirds of Walmart’s annual spend is on products made, grown, or assembled in the U.S.
