Part 3/9:
Blue Diamond isn’t alone. The state has seen a cascade of closures across the food processing sector, including brands like Fredo Lelay, which shut down after 55 years; Foster Farms halting turkey processing; and the last sugar beet plant announcing its closure. Companies like Nestlé have already exited, and others such as Manzana have moved their operations out of California altogether.
The trend extends beyond agriculture. Large-scale companies—like Tyson and various food warehouses—are also shuttering plants across the South and West. This pattern indicates a systemic shift driven largely by economic factors.