Nov. 13, 2025

A third-generation specialty pork product producer from northwest Iowa officially has started work on its new Sioux Falls headquarters.

Formosa Food Company Inc. broke ground today at 8 acres zoned for heavy industrial use at 3100 N. Bahnson Ave., not far from Gage Brothers Concrete Products.

“This is truly a very exciting day for us. It’s hard to put into words how happy we are to be here today,” said Heather Shih, who co-owns the business with her sister, Jennifer.

The family recipes for pork sung and pork fu, which are traditional Taiwanese dishes, were developed by their grandparents in Taiwan in the 1950s. Their parents came to the U.S. and started Formosa Food in 1983 in Hull, Iowa.

The new 40,000-square-foot Sioux Falls facility “is a huge step forward for our business — not just for my parents and grandparents who started it all, but we’re hoping for the generation that will come after us,” Shih said.

“The move to Sioux Falls has a very special meaning. I grew up coming here on weekends, and now to be able to stand here and break ground for our family and the third generation in this community is just surreal. We’re really proud to be joining Sioux Falls. It’s amazing to us how the community has grown.”

In Sioux Falls, “everybody has been super-welcoming,” Jennifer Shih added. “We are just really, really excited to start our next chapter here and with all of you.”

Dozens of business community representatives were on hand to kick off the project.

“We’re grateful to have you moving your facility to Sioux Falls,” Sioux Falls Development Foundation chair Kent Cutler told the owners. “I want to congratulate you.”

Thirteen percent of third-generation businesses succeed, “and you’ve got a 13 percent here,” said Michael DeJong, whose company, DeJong Operations Management & Consulting LLC, worked with Formosa on the project.

“They’re first-class, and they’ve been in the corner of the community just performing and doing and just have been really good stewards of what they’ve taken over. You’re getting a really awesome addition to your community.”

Products from Formosa Food are carried in Asian grocery stores nationwide, and the sisters said they see potential to scale with the new facility, which will open in 2027.

The family’s success “is an example of the American dream,” said Jason Herrboldt, vice-chair of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. “And you’re bringing it to Sioux Falls … and your odds went up because you’re bringing it to Sioux Falls.”

Specialized meat processor to break ground on Sioux Falls headquarters