A Massachusetts-based food-waste company has purchased 28 acres in Lexington for $1.3 million to build a facility that will employ as many as 50 workers.
Divert plans to build a food diversion and energy facility on the site, but a company spokeswoman declined to say when it would open or its size.
The company said North Carolina generates around 2.7 million tons of wasted food in a year but 1.2 million North Carolinians are food insecure. Divert operates 13 facilities across the country, capturing wasted food from retailers and other companies, transforming it into carbon-negative renewable energy, thereby preventing it from emitting harmful methane in landfills.
“As we look for ways to drive forward our mission, Lexington is a location close to our customers,” said Divert CEO Ryan Begin in a statement. “We are grateful to have the support of the city of Lexington and the state’s Economic Development Partnership. We look forward to working together to unlock environmental benefits and spur local economic development.”
The company was founded in 2007 and to date has processed 2.6 billion pounds of wasted food and used its technology to donate over 13.2 million pounds of food — roughly 11 million meals — to those in need.
Divert’s clients include CVS, Target and Ahold Delhaize, the parent of Salisbury-based Food Lion. It also works with Kroger, the parent of Charlotte-based Harris Teeter.
In 2021, Divert was acquired by Ara Partners, a global private equity firm specializing in industrial decarbonization investments.
According to Waste Dive, the company has a goal to build 30 of its Integrated Diversion & Energy Facilities to be within 100 miles of 80% of the U.S. population by 2031. Last year, Divert broke ground on two anaerobic digestion facilities in Turlock, California, and Longview, Washington.