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Agri Star has rehired two-thirds of staff after fire

September 23, 2026 from WattPoultry:

"Agri Star Meat & Poultry has successfully rehired approximately 400 of its 600 workers and resumed limited production after a July 28 fire destroyed about 75 percent of its Postville, Iowa facility. The company, which produces roughly 10 percent of the U.S. kosher beef supply and 730,000 pounds of ready-to-cook kosher chicken weekly, accomplished the recovery in just weeks according to local officials.

"A July 28 fire destroyed approximately 75% of Agri Star's Postville facility, with the fire starting accidentally in a clothes dryer in the plant's laundry room. Approximately 400 workers have returned to the plant out of 600 total employees before the fire, representing two-thirds of the workforce. The facility produces roughly 730,000 pounds of ready-to-cook kosher chicken weekly and approximately 10% of the U.S. kosher beef supply. Agri Star announced plans to resume limited production by late August pending successful completion of required inspections. The company is currently slaughtering poultry and cattle again, marking a significant milestone in its recovery efforts."