Water is a critical element to safe food production. In turn, processing wastewater is consistently at the top of processors’ challenges as they continue to look at wastewater treatment systems advancements, water conservation and water recycling.
As a poultry producer that operates in seven states, the protection of local land and water is a top priority for Foster Farms. Conservation and effective wastewater management are an important part of how the company does business along with meeting stringent standards for food safety, says Jim Marnatti, director of environmental affairs for Foster Farms. Livingston, Calif., where Foster Farms’ headquarters is located, has very stringent environmental regulations compared with other states. For example, wastewater discharge limits are much lower than many other states.