Ajinomoto Foods North America Adds Dumplings Line in Toluca, Illinois, Plant

June 13, 2025

The new line allows the company to produce more Asian-style dumplings and adds 75 new jobs to the central Illinois facility.

Andy Hanacek

Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc. (AFNA) has launched a new production line at its Toluca, Ill., facility — the third major investment in the central Illinois facility in four years. The new line means 75 new jobs, which pushes the plant’s total workforce over the 350 mark, according to a release shared with Food Processing by the company.

The new line will allow AFNA to increase production of Asian-style dumplings sold at club stores and grocery stores across the country. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ajinomoto Group, and it produces culturally inspired frozen foods under brands such as Ajinomoto, Jose Ole, Ling Ling and Tai Pei.

“This expansion isn’t just about increasing output,” Dave Gardner, chief supply chain officer, said in the release. “It’s about investing in a community we call home. We’re proud to grow with Toluca.”

Alex Stoeger, senior director of operations for AFNA — and longtime Toluca resident — said expanding the Toluca plant was an easy decision, since “the workforce here is dependable, hardworking, and just a fantastic team.”

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.