Some of the largest US food industry companies are cutting jobs and closing plants. The spate of layoffs strikes workers in cities ranging from Pennsylvania to Oregon. Increased costs, fewer shoppers, and new business models are forcing behemoths like Amazon Fresh, Kroger, Del Monte, and Albertsons to shut stores and factories.
More than 1,500 employees have been informed of job losses since early May. These layoffs are being reported in the form of WARN notices, which need to be submitted by companies when they intend to conduct mass layoffs. Follows is a breakdown of where the closures are taking place and who’s involved.
Albertsons: layoffs in phoenix and portland
Albertsons will reduce 275 corporate positions in Phoenix, Arizona—its second set of layoffs in 2025. The supermarket chain will also shut a store in Portland, Oregon, impacting 87 employees. The company has not indicated whether additional stores may be closed later this year.
Amazon fresh: Store closure in Washington
Amazon Fresh has shut down one of its Federal Way supermarkets, a city to the south of Seattle. 125 jobs will be lost. The company says the move is part of a broader re-evaluation of which stores to retain.
Bakery Barn: closing in Pennsylvania
Bakery Barn, a maker of foods, announced that it will be closing a Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania, plant. It will impact 82 employees, the majority of whom are production staff. No plans have yet been discussed to move the employees.
Conagra Brands: Michigan reductions
Conagra Brands, which produces packaged foods like frozen meals, will close its Fennville, Michigan, factory. It will leave 75 employees out of work. Conagra says the action is part of a plan to consolidate its operations and save on costs.
Del Monte Foods: Hundreds affected in Washington
Del Monte Foods will close a fruit packing facility and two warehouses in Yakima, Washington. This is among the biggest reductions in this round, and it will affect around 500 workers. The closings are all part of a company-wide effort to streamline the company’s supply chain.
Kroger: 60+ store closures looming
Over 60 stores are to be closed by the end of 2025 by Kroger. While it hasn’t been revealed where these will be, the company reports the closures follow a $100 million loss of funds. The number of workers who’ll be fired still hasn’t been determined.
Randalls: Houston shutdown
Randalls, which is owned by Albertsons, is closing one of its stores in Houston, Texas. The closure will cost 102 workers their jobs, effective August 16.
United Natural Foods: Over 700 jobs lost
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) is shutting down its Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, distribution center. It will leave 716 individuals out of a job. The company states the move assists them in closing a “non-profitable relationship.” The reductions will be finished by October of 2025.
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These are affecting employees hard. As companies react to economic challenges, additional layoffs might be on the horizon. Stay tuned for follow-up news if your neighborhood is next.
