Over 200 employees at New Columbia Fruit Packers in Yakima will face lay-offs in August due to the plant's closure, with additional lay-offs anticipated in November. The company has decided to centralize its operations at its East Wenatchee facility.
CEO Brett Reasor cited market trends in the apple industry as the reason for this decision, stating, "The current market conditions have created a challenging situation for our industry. As a result, we are making the strategic decision to streamline our operations, which will better position ourselves for the future."
The Yakima plant, previously known as Frosty Packing, became part of New Columbia Fruit Packers following its acquisition by Goldman Sachs Asset Management in 2022. The company, which operates apple and cherry packing facilities and owns 3,000 acres of fruit trees, has faced criticism from workers advocating for improved treatment and sick leave policies. In 2020, employees at Frosty Packing went on strike over concerns regarding COVID-19 protections.
Source: yakimaherald.com