A longtime food manufacturing operation in Fort Myers is heading for a full shutdown. The closure will leave 135 workers without jobs by late June.
The plant, operated by Peterson Brands, makes shelf-stable fruit juice products for large institutional customers. According to a WARN notice filed with the state of Florida, the shutdown is permanent and will affect all employees at the facility.
Plant shutdown will end a longtime Fort Myers operation
The facility is located at 9910 Bavaria Road in Fort Myers, in Lee County. Peterson Brands said in its state filing that the site will close as part of a total plant shutdown, with job losses expected by June 27.
The operation has been known for aseptically packaged juice products. Those products have been sold to schools, health care providers, military organizations, airlines, cruise lines and other foodservice buyers that rely on shelf-stable beverages…