Foster Farms to halt fresh turkey processing at Turlock site

USA – Foster Farms, a prominent poultry producer based in California’s Central Valley, has announced plans to cease fresh turkey processing at its Turlock facility effective in May as it responds to shifts in consumer demand.

The company explained that the adjustment arises from shifting market requirements and changing consumer preferences, prompting its decision to end fresh turkey processing at the Turlock facility by May.

A few days ago, industry competitor Cargill also announced that it will close its turkey‐processing facility in Arkansas, with operations slated to cease in August amid similar market adjustments.

Employees at the Turlock plant affected by the closure have been offered the option to transfer to other available roles within Foster Farms’ network across California’s Central Valley.

The cessation of fresh turkey processing, set for May 9, will not interfere with the operations of the fully cooked poultry facility located at the same Turlock site.

In March of last year, Jayson Penn assumed the role of CEO, replacing former Tyson Foods executive Donnie Smith who had led the company since Atlas Holdings acquired it from the Foster family in 2022.

Atlas Holdings, the private-equity firm that purchased Foster Farms in June 2022, took over the operations from the original Foster family owners, marking a significant change in the company’s leadership.

CEO Jayson Penn commented on the restructuring, stating that although the decision will affect a number of workers, it in no way detracts from the valuable efforts they have consistently provided.

Based in California’s Central Valley, Foster Farms maintains additional poultry ranches in the Pacific Northwest and Louisiana, further expanding its production footprint across diverse regions.

The company produces an assortment of poultry products, ranging from fresh and pre-marinated items to fully cooked offerings, which it supplies to retail outlets, food service providers, and warehouse clubs.

Industry analysts view these operational adjustments as part of a broader trend among poultry companies to realign processing capabilities with current market conditions and consumer purchasing patterns.

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