Jan 17, 2006 9:24 AM, from staff and wire reports

WhiteWave Foods, a processor and distributor of whipping cream, soy milk, and half-and-half in the Southeast, has begun a $7 million expansion of its Jacksonville FL plant.

This expansion will give the Colorado-based firm 16,300 square feet of cooler space (double the current amount) and 9,800 square feet of dry storage. Completion is expected later in January.

John Jennings, plant manager, said, “With this expansion, we expect to produce approximately 150 million pounds of product in 2006. This would be a 20% increase in production over 2005.”