Gathered Foods, maker of Good Catch plant-based seafood, has opened a new production plant in Heath, Ohio. The 42,500 square foot facility features ‘state-of-the-art’ processing equipment and is designed to ‘dramatically increase’ production of Good Catch’s plant-based offerings. As well as its flagship vegan tuna, the brand recently launched a line of frozen entrees and appetisers, including fish cakes and burgers. Since breaking ground on the Ohio site in 2018, Gathered Foods says that it has created employment opportunities in the local Ohio market. The new facility currently has a workforce of 52 employees and is expected to expand to full capacity with up to 80 positions by the end of the year. "We are incredibly proud to establish a strong manufacturing footprint in the US as we grow our product portfolio,” said Christine Mei, who was recently appointed as CEO of Gathered Foods. “With Good Catch's rapid expansion and the launch of our new line of frozen plant-based entrees and appetisers, having our own production facility enables us to optimise productivity and efficiency. “We are fully committed to delivering high-quality plant-based seafood products which delight and satisfy our consumers each and every time.” In the last year, Gathered Foods closed a $36.8 million Series B funding round, with backing from General Mills’ venture arm and Maple Leaf Foods subsidiary, Greenleaf Foods. The company has since expanded its distribution footprint through forming a joint distribution venture with US-based seafood company Bumble Bee Foods and by launching in Tesco in the UK.