A major snack food manufacturer is preparing to eliminate hundreds of jobs in Missouri after announcing plans to close one of its production facilities. The move affects a well-known brand found on grocery store shelves nationwide and marks another significant workforce reduction in the food manufacturing industry.
Hazelwood facility slated for closure
Nature’s Bakery, owned by Mars, has filed a WARN notice announcing the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in Hazelwood, Missouri. The decision will impact 345 employees, with layoffs scheduled in two phases over the coming months and early next year. The facility will continue operating through the remainder of 2026 before permanently shutting down in September 2027.
According to the WARN filing, approximately 130 employees are expected to be laid off in September 2026, followed by another 215 workers in February 2027. Manufacturing operations from the Hazelwood facility will be transferred to other Nature’s Bakery production sites.
Mars shifts production to newer facilities
Nature’s Bakery is known for its soft-baked snack bars, including fig bars, oatmeal crumble bars, brownie bars, and other plant-based snacks sold at major retailers across the country. Mars acquired the brand in 2020 as part of its continued expansion into the better-for-you snack category.
The closure comes less than two years after Mars expanded Nature’s Bakery’s manufacturing footprint by opening a $240 million production facility in Salt Lake City. The company also operates a manufacturing facility in Carson City, Nevada, and those locations are expected to absorb production currently handled in Hazelwood.
Workers encouraged to seek other opportunities
Mars has said affected employees will have the opportunity to apply for positions at other Nature’s Bakery facilities or elsewhere within the Mars family of companies. While the company has not publicly detailed how many employees may ultimately transfer, the closure represents a significant loss for the Hazelwood community.
The announcement is the latest example of continued restructuring within the food manufacturing industry, as companies consolidate production, invest in newer facilities, and adjust operations to meet changing consumer demand. For the hundreds of workers affected, the coming months will be focused on navigating the transition as the plant winds down operations.
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