Washington’s food manufacturing industry is facing another wave of closures and layoffs as companies grapple with rising operating costs, consolidation efforts, and shifting production strategies. Several facilities across the state have announced shutdowns or significant workforce reductions in recent months, impacting hundreds of workers.
Rise Baking to shut down Kent facility
Rise Baking Company announced in March that it will permanently close its Kent manufacturing plant. The company said all 120 employees at the facility will be laid off beginning Aug. 7 as production shifts to a newer operation in Utah.
The Kent plant manufactures pies, cakes, cookies, muffins, and icings for grocery and food-service customers nationwide. Company officials described the closure as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and consolidate manufacturing capacity.
Fruit processing layoffs hit Central Washington
Wenatchee-based Blue Bird Inc. also announced significant layoffs this year. In a WARN filing submitted in March, the company said 82 seasonal employees would be permanently laid off beginning May 16 due to the end of its production season.
Founded in 1913, Blue Bird processes pears, apples, and cherries grown throughout the Pacific Northwest. The layoffs primarily affect packaging, sanitation, and production workers.
Apple slicing facility closure impacts more than 100 workers
Another major closure involves food processing company Crunch Pak, also known as Food Service Slicing. The company filed notices tied to the closure of its Selah facility in March of this year, affecting approximately 101 employees.
Crunch Pak is known for producing packaged sliced apples and snack products distributed to grocery retailers and school lunch programs across the country. Reports indicate the layoffs include warehouse workers, machine operators, and production staff.
Industry pressures continue
The closures reflect broader challenges facing food manufacturers nationwide. Rising labor expenses, inflation, transportation costs, and softer consumer demand are pushing companies to consolidate operations and invest in automation.
Industry analysts say Washington’s food processing and agricultural manufacturing sectors remain particularly vulnerable because of seasonal production cycles and higher operating costs compared to other regions.
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