Winland Foods plans $38.5 million St. Louis pasta plant expansion, adding jobs

Winland Foods is putting $38.5 million into its Carondelet pasta plant, a sign that demand for egg pasta, manicotti and jumbo shells is still running strong in St. Louis. The expansion at 611 E Marceau St. is set to add 25 jobs, more production lines and rail car access, with the upgraded operation expected to come online in fall 2026.

The South St. Louis facility already employs more than 100 workers, and the new investment is aimed at boosting both production capacity and operational flexibility. Missouri officials said the project will help the plant produce and package more jumbo shell products, giving the site a bigger role in Winland Foods’ Midwest manufacturing network.

Based in Oak Brook, Illinois, Winland Foods operates 17 production facilities across the United States and Canada and backs familiar brands including Creamette, Prince, No Yolks and Wacky Mac. At the St. Louis plant, the company’s product mix is centered on egg pasta and filled shapes, making the Carondelet site a key piece of the company’s pasta supply chain.

State support for the expansion will come through the Missouri Works program, and economic development leaders framed the project as a win for manufacturing in the region. Mike Kehoe, Michelle Hataway and Greater St. Louis, Inc. were among the names tied to the announcement, with Ron Kitchens praising the investment as one that will create good jobs, drive economic growth and benefit the region for years to come.

The fresh capital gives the plant a notable turnaround after a rough stretch. Winland Foods filed a WARN notice in early 2024 tied to a closure and 80 layoffs at the St. Louis site, raising questions about the future of the South City facility. The new expansion changes that outlook sharply, turning a plant once linked to cuts into one positioned for growth.

For pasta shoppers, the payoff could show up in a few practical ways if the expansion delivers as planned. More capacity can help keep shelves stocked, support a wider flow of product lines and give the company more room to balance demand across shapes like jumbo shells. For Carondelet, it also means a larger manufacturing footprint, more local payroll and a long-term commitment to a plant that has been part of the neighborhood’s food production base.