Florida’s Food Manufacturing Industry Supports More Than 39,000 Jobs

Florida’s food manufacturing industry employs 39,361 workers across 2,347 establishments, making it an important part of the supply chain that keeps supermarkets, restaurants and households stocked throughout the state.

However, Florida ranks 48th nationwide in food manufacturing employment concentration, according to a new Trace One analysis based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state has four food manufacturing workers for every 1,000 employees, well below the national average of 11.4.

Food manufacturing includes the processes that transform agricultural products and raw ingredients into finished goods for consumers. Every loaf of bread, carton of milk, package of frozen vegetables and box of cereal passes through a facility where production, processing, packaging, labeling and quality-control work takes place.

Although Florida’s employment concentration in the sector is relatively low, the overall workforce remains significant. Beyond direct jobs, the industry also supports agriculture, transportation, warehousing, packaging production, distribution and equipment suppliers.

Nationwide, food manufacturing employment reached a record 1,774,702 workers in 2025, nearly 11% higher than the 1,600,921 employees recorded in 2020. Despite that growth, the industry now represents a smaller share of the overall U.S. workforce than it did several decades ago. In 1990, food manufacturing accounted for 14 workers per 1,000 U.S. employees. By 2025, that figure had declined to 11.4.

According to the study, the proportional decline does not necessarily indicate weaker demand for domestically manufactured food. Instead, it reflects faster job growth in other industries, persistent labor shortages and the increasing use of automation, software and other technologies inside production facilities.

Animal slaughtering and processing remains the country’s largest food manufacturing segment by employment, with more than 556,000 workers. Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing follow with approximately 346,864 employees and also account for the largest number of food manufacturing establishments nationwide.

Trace One also noted that ingredient documentation, allergen management, packaging, labeling and regulatory compliance have become increasingly important as manufacturers manage more complex products and supply chains.

At a time when food safety concerns and supply chain disruptions continue to draw public attention, the industry faces the challenge of increasing efficiency without compromising safety, quality or consumer confidence.

For Florida, strengthening food manufacturing could create additional jobs, support local agricultural producers and improve the state’s ability to respond to future supply challenges.