AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT BLUE DIAMOND GROWERS

Sacramento, California-based Blue Diamond Growers, an agricultural cooperative and marketing organization that specializes in California almonds, has announced the closure of its close historic midtown Sacramento plant over the next two years and relocate most of its manufacturing operations to facilities in Turlock and Salida, California, moving production closer to its network of California farmers.

The closure will impact 600 employees in phases over the next 18 to 24 months, with around 10% of plant employees being laid off by the end of 2025.

President and CEO Kai Bockmann noted, “Our Sacramento team’s work ethic and incredible drive have enabled us to build Blue Diamond into what it is today. However, the challenges of running a plant from these historical buildings have become too costly and inefficient. Streamlining our manufacturing plants is the right business move to further strengthen our market-leading position and bring increased value to our grower members.

Even though most employees will not leave this year, we want to be transparent and tell our people as soon as possible.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT ALATRADE FOODS

Boaz, Alabama-based AlaTrade Foods, a 100% employee-owned company operating contract poultry processing facilities, has announced a reduction in force.

The reduction in force will impact 165 employees at its largest poultry processing plant in Phenix City, Alabama, which uses technology to treat chicken paws – a special cut of meat from the feet – and export the product to China.

It is believed that the decision was driven by market considerations and additional tariffs of up to 15% on imports of U.S. farm exports, including chicken, wheat.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT THE WONDERFUL COMPANY

Los Angeles, California-based The Wonderful Company, an agricultural holding company that grows, harvests, bottles, packages, and markets a diverse range of products, including fruits, nuts, flowers, water, wines, and juices, has announced a significant reduction in its workforce at its Wasco, California grapevine production facility as it withdraws from grapevine rootstock production. While Wonderful produces wine, it markets table grape rootstock instead of growing the actual grapes which it leaves to others.

The decision to wind down operations will impact hundreds of employees. All but a skeleton crew will retain their jobs, and approximately 15 employees out of 500 will remain.

Wonderful Orchards President Rob Yraceburu noted, "A business decision like this is unfortunate and painful. We care deeply about our employees, including those from our farm labor contractors, many of whom have been part of our family season after season. This business wind-down is different than our usual seasonal layoffs, and we are even more committed to helping every employee as much as possible."

It should be noted that the company is in a major battle with the United Farm Workers over operations at the Wasco facility. The company denies that the labor issue drove the decision in a declining marketplace.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?