With six poultry processing plants, Sanderson Farms process, markets and distributes more than 1.5 billion pounds of fresh, frozen and further processed chicken annually, as well as more than 100 frozen entrees and other specialty food products. In addition, with contracts with more than 600 independent growers, Sanderson Farms is also one of the top 10 poultry producers in the United States. Sanderson Farms customers include distributors, food service operators, club stores and retailers in the Southeast, Southwest, Midwest and Western regions of the U.S. The company employs more than 8,500 people in hatcheries, feed mill facilities, processing facilities and processed food divisions throughout the United States,including a processing plant in Hazelhurst, Miss. Sanderson maintains its headquarters in Laurel, Miss.