Really Cool Foods, one of the nation’s leading natural and organic prepared foods company, announced today it will locate its national production and distribution center in Cambridge City, Ind.

The New York-based company plans to invest $100 million to build and equip the complex in a number of stages, and estimates it will create more than 1,000 new jobs for the area over the course of the project.

The development marks the second phase of Really Cool Foods’ nationwide expansion plan. The centralized Indiana site will serve as the primary national manufacturing and distribution center, which will supply the Company’s growing network of food retailers across North America.

The complex’s first facility will be a new 77,000 square foot USDA-certified organic commissary and distribution center. The refrigerated plant will more than triple Really Cool Foods’ current production capacity. Additional 50,000-70,000 square-foot modules are planned. At present, the company prepares, cooks and packages its fresh meal selections in a 35,000 square-foot USDA-certified organic commissary in Syosset, N.Y.

Really Cool Foods’ products are currently distributed through major chains, including Whole Foods, Kroger, Stop & Shop, Shop Rite and Giant, and will also be sold at Trader Joes at the end of October.

“Choosing to build the Really Cool Foods National Production and Distribution Center in Indiana gives us a significant competitive advantage on many levels as we roll out the Really Cool Foods brand across the United States,” said Michael Recanati, founder of Really Cool Foods. “This unique, state-of-the-art complex is the critical next step in fulfilling our vision to change the way America eats prepared foods. We are very pleased with the welcoming, supportive business environment in Indiana and Wayne County.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Really Cool Foods up to $3.05 million in performance-based tax credits, up to $165,000 in training grants and will provide Cambridge City officials with a $200,000 grant to assist in off-site infrastructure improvements needed for the project. Wayne County officials offered the company 50 acres of land, $165,000 in grants and a 10-year property tax abatement.

“Properly servicing retail clients nationwide with our unique products requires central proximity and a dedicated workforce,” said Bob Clamp, CEO of Really Cool Foods. “East Central Indiana provides the ideal strategic foothold and complement to our Northeast facility. The IEDC and the EDC of Wayne County have been instrumental in providing us with exactly what we need.”

Really Cool Foods’ complex will be located at the Indiana Gateway Industrial Park. The company will begin hiring production workers in 2008.

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