TURLOCK, CALIF. — Foster Farms, a subsidiary of Atlas Holdings, recently announced the company will shut down its fresh turkey processing operations in Turlock, Calif., on May 9. The company cited changing market demand as the reason for the closure, which will affect 519 employees.
Employees affected by the plant closure will be offered the option to transfer to an opening at Foster Farms’ other Central Valley facilities, where the company produces fully cooked poultry products. Foster Farms said it would provide team members individualized job placement and support services during the transition period.
“We recognize that this decision impacts the lives of many of our committed team members and does not reflect their efforts,” said Jayson Penn, chief executive officer of Foster Farms. “We thank the team for their contributions, hard work and ongoing dedication as we support them throughout this transition.”
The City of Turlock also responded to the pending closure with its support for affected workers.
“We commend the company for their commitment to working with the city on this, as well as supporting processing plant employees through job placement and transfer opportunities,” said Amy Bublak, mayor of Turlock. “We extend our support to the dedicated employees affected by this closure and acknowledge the challenges they face during this transition.”