Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Business and Economic News
MPR News Staff and Nina Moini

Del Monte Foods plans to close southern Minn. plant, affecting more than 360 workers

Del Monte Foods' canned sweet peas.
Del Monte Foods' canned sweet peas. The company said it plans to close its peas and corn packing plant in Sleepy Eye, Minn.
Bob Nichols | USDA via Flickr file

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Updated: 7:55 p.m. | Posted: 4:08 p.m.

Del Monte Foods has told state officials it plans to close its peas and corn packing plant in Sleepy Eye, Minn.

The California-based company says layoffs of more than 360 employees will begin around Oct. 21 after the current packing season and last through the first half of 2020.

Del Monte says the action will affect 69 full-time and 294 seasonal employees. The Sleepy Eye facility was established in 1930.

In its notice to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Del Monte said the employees are not represented by a union.

DEED said it plans to have its Rapid Response Team help laid off employees to find other jobs.

Sleepy Eye’s Mayor Wayne Pelzel said the plant is one of the biggest employers in the city of about 3,500 people.

"Certainly, this has ramifications for a lot of our businesses and schools, for just about everything in the community so it's a big deal." Pelzel said the announcement caught him and the entire community by surprise.

Brigid Tuck, senior economic impact analyst at the University of Minnesota Extension, said small communities can find it challenging to replace manufacturing jobs when they are part of the fabric of the community.

"It can take communities a while to figure out, ‘What is our new identity? How do we get new business into town?’"

Area farmers growing crops for Del Monte will also need a new plan.

"With our agricultural production processing, we tend to see much higher ripple effects just because you are using a local product," Tuck said.

In a statement, Del Monte said the restructuring is a necessary to lower the cost of operations.

The company will close another plant in Illinois and sell a Wisconsin facility as well later this year.