Del Monte Foods shuts down Modesto plant, affecting families across the Central Valley
CBS News • • business
Key Points:
- Del Monte Foods is closing its Modesto fruit cannery, ending operations at a long-standing facility in California's Central Valley and affecting about 600 year-round and 1,200 seasonal workers.
- Employees were surprised by the closure announcement, having previously been assured their jobs were secure; the company filed for bankruptcy in July and sold off properties without a buyer for the Modesto plant.
- The cannery processes peaches, apricots, and pears, and its closure is expected to significantly impact local growers and the agricultural economy, especially for hand-picked crops.
- The nearest fruit cannery, Pacific Coast Producers in Lodi, purchased warehoused goods but did not assume operations of the Modesto facility.
- Union representatives
