AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT HORMEL FOODS (11/04/25)

NOVEMBER 4, 2025 — 250 EMPLOYEES

Continuing its restructuring, the company plans to lay off 250 corporate and sales employees with a combination of layoffs, voluntary early retirements, and leaving open positions unfilled. The company is reallocating resources to focus on technology, innovation, food safety, and product quality.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 — Original post…

Austin, Minnesota-based Hormel Foods, a food processing company specializing in meats and its iconic product, Spam, has announced it will discontinue bacon production at its Tucker, Georgia, meat packing facility.

The product line change will affect 135 employees, and the decision is reportedly driven by aging equipment and the high cost of required upgrades. Layoffs are scheduled between October 26, 2025, and November 8, 2025.

According to a company spokesperson, "Following a comprehensive evaluation of all available options, we have made the decision to discontinue bacon production at the Atlanta Plant. This decision is driven by the age of the equipment and the substantial investment required to align with our long-term strategic objectives and uphold the high standards our customers expect. Production of these products is being moved to other facilities."

"While these changes are necessary for our path forward, one of the most difficult aspects is that we have team members impacted by this transition."

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, nor promises of 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, at any time, 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 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?