CHURCH POINT, La. — Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Cajun Traditions Food Processors owner Lonnie Richard announced the company’s development of a new meat processing and packaging facility in Church Point, Louisiana. Meat processing startup Cajun Traditions will make a $2.85 million capital investment to renovate and equip an existing facility in Church Point, where the new project will create 35 new direct jobs, with an average annual salary of $25,505, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 57 new indirect jobs, for a total of more than 90 new jobs in Acadia Parish and the surrounding region.
“Louisiana’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, and I am proud to see that our unique traditions are living on through new generations, as is evident by the Cajun Traditions venture launched by the Richard family,” Gov. Edwards said. “Lonnie Richard is not only preserving a valued tradition, but he is reinvesting in his community and creating new jobs in the process. We join him, his family, and the entire Cajun Traditions team in celebrating this major new step and the great new economic activity heading to Church Point.”
Cajun Traditions Food Processors LLC purchased the former Garan garment manufacturing site from the town of Church Point earlier this year. The 80,000-square-foot facility is located at 188 S. Olivier Road, and was built more than 40 years ago. Cajun Traditions will install new electrical equipment, complete roof repair and pour a new slab. The company also is buying new machinery, including smokehouse equipment, stuffing machines, vacuum-pack machines, grinders, mixers, and refrigeration equipment.
Lonnie Richard co-owns the company with his brother, Todd Richard, and nephew, Benjamin Richard. With a long family history of Cajun meat production, the family brings proven experience to the new venture. Founded in July 2019, Cajun Traditions will source quality ingredients for Cajun meat products, including sausage, boudin and more sold under the Cajun Family Traditions brand.