Voyage Foods to open facility in US to produce cocoa-free chocolate, nut-free spreads 

USA – Voyage Foods, a food-tech startup based in California, is set to open a 284,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Mason, Ohio.  

The plant will focus on producing the company’s signature cocoa-free chocolate, nut-free spreads, and bean-free coffee.  

Once operational by early next year, the factory will have the capacity to produce 10,000 metric tons of cocoa-free chocolate annually. 

The construction of the facility is partly funded through a US$25 million loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  

The loan supports the development of food production infrastructure in rural areas. This expansion marks a significant step for Voyage Foods as it transitions from a startup to a large-scale manufacturer. 

“With this new facility, Voyage is maturing from a startup food technology company to a large-scale manufacturer with the ability to deliver value across the entire ecosystem to our people, partners, and the planet,” said Adam Maxwell, CEO and founder of Voyage Foods. 

Founded in 2021, Voyage Foods has raised over US$94 million in funding, with its products focusing on sustainability and allergen-free alternatives.  

Using widely available and upcycled plant-based ingredients, the company offers cocoa-free chocolate, hazelnut-free spreads, and peanut-free spreads that are vegan-friendly and free from the top nine common food allergens.  

The company’s approach to sustainable production allows it to provide stable pricing to its partners, even in a challenging global market. 

The expansion follows a strategic partnership with Cargill, which signed an exclusive distribution agreement in April 2024, positioning Cargill as the global distributor for Voyage’s products.  

The company also secured US$52 million in a recent funding round to support its growth and product rollout. 

The investment comes at a time when global cocoa shortage has severely impacted various food and beverage categories, including confectionery, snacks, and sports drinks. 

Cocoa prices recently reached nearly US$10,000 per metric ton, driven by droughts in West Africa, which accounts for a significant portion of the world’s cocoa production.  

This has resulted in an 11% drop in global supply over the past year. 

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