Tyson’s Foods expansion project will create more job opportunities in the community

Recently KMTB and KNAS had the opportunity to speak with Tyson’s Food Plant Manager Zach Pinegar about the overall operation of the business.

Pinegar, who grew up here in Nashville, started at the Tyson’s Food in Russellville and had an opportunity to come back to his hometown and work at the facility here in Nashville. Pinegar stated that he started on different shifts and slowly moved up to Plant Manager.

Pinegar said they employ 1482 hourly team members currently. Three of those employees have 50 years of service. Tyson also has 250 family farms that supply their chickens. Tyson also makes donations to Local Non-Profit Organizations such as local schools and Howard County Children’s Center. Tyson is also in partnership with GUILD which is an online higher education that is completely free to Tyson team members for 2-to-4-year degrees. 

Pinegar stated that in 1980 that’s when the Cook Room was added on and that’s how they were able to make nuggets along with chicken patties and chicken strips.

Pinegar also talked about the Fulton Feed Mill which was completed in May 2022 and how it was one of the first investments that Tyson made that was in the amount of $80 million dollars.

Pinegar stated that currently they are running full production on day shift and half production on night shift. The goal of this upcoming expansion project is to provide more jobs in the community. 

Pinegar mentioned that they use about 6 million gallons of water per week.

Pinegar concluded by saying that he’s proud that Tyson is a part of the community and that he is a part of it.