J.G. Petrucci and BGO Cold Chain announce Bethlehem cold storage development fully leased to Freshpet ahead of year-end completion

J.G. Petrucci Company, Inc. (Petrucci) and BGO Cold Chain announced today that Freshpet, the first-to-market and leading fresh pet food brand, has leased in its entirety their 216,000-square-foot cold storage development at 757 Hellertown Road in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The facility is scheduled for on-time and on-budget completion by year-end 2026. Developed through a joint venture between Petrucci and BGO Cold Chain, the project reflects the strength of the partnership and the firms’ shared expertise in delivering complex cold storage facilities.

The facility is Freshpet’s first dedicated cold storage facility, contributing to the effective distribution of their temperature-sensitive products. The location offers excellent proximity to their existing Bethlehem Kitchen, as well as convenient access to I-78 and other major roadways.

“Petrucci has been an exceptional partner, bringing specialist expertise and a shared commitment to quality and strong execution,” said Kevin Rivest, Managing Partner, BGO. “Freshpet’s lease of the entire facility underscores the growing demand for modern cold chain infrastructure in this market.”

Freshpet makes fresh, minimally processed meals and treats for dogs and cats using simple ingredients like real meat, fruits and vegetables with no fillers or preservatives. Their recipes are steam-cooked at lower temperatures to offer a fresh alternative to traditional processed pet food. This differentiated approach to pet nutrition reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to raising expectations around nutrition, freshness, and care. Freshpet’s Commercial Office is in Bedminster, New Jersey, its Technical Center and Kitchens are in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and it has additional Kitchens in Ennis, Texas.

“This new distribution center is an important step forward as we continue to grow alongside the families who count on us,” said Nicki Baty, Chief Operating Officer at Freshpet. “Located just minutes from our Bethlehem Kitchen, it gives us greater control over our operations and the scalability we need to keep pace with our growth, while positioning us to support Freshpet for years to come.”

“Freshpet’s impressive growth continues right along with the renaissance of the Lehigh Valley,” said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. “We are grateful for the commitment of Freshpet to continue expanding here and for the great partnership between Petrucci and Freshpet to continue to provide new and expanded facilities for growth like this new building in South Bethlehem.”

“Freshpet’s ongoing investment in Bethlehem is a testament to the strength of the Lehigh Valley for food manufacturing and cold chain logistics tenants,” says Kerry Wrobel, President of Lehigh Valley Industrial Park. “This facility builds on Freshpet’s longstanding presence in the region and will increase their distribution capabilities.”