For generations, these factories helped feed the country and supported thousands of California families. Now, three major food manufacturing closures are leaving entire communities reeling as decades-old facilities go dark.
Leprino cheese factory closure ends a long era
One of the most impactful closures involves Leprino Foods’ mozzarella production facility in Lemoore. The plant, which had been operating for more than a century, was scheduled to shut down last month as the company consolidates production into newer facilities outside California, impacting 268 workers. Another 100 employees are set to lose their jobs in December 2026.
The closure is expected to result in the loss of approximately 368 jobs. Many of those positions were considered stable, higher-paying manufacturing roles in a region where employment options are limited. Company officials cited the plant’s age, rising operating costs, and long-term efficiency concerns as reasons for the decision.
Del Monte cannery shutdown hits growers and workers
In the Central Valley, Del Monte Foods is closing its longtime fruit cannery in Modesto as part of a broader restructuring following bankruptcy proceedings. The closure marks the end of a major agricultural processing hub that handled peaches, apricots, and other fruits grown throughout the region.
Roughly 600 full-time employees are expected to lose their jobs, along with an estimated 1,200 seasonal workers who relied on the cannery during harvest season. Beyond job losses, local farmers and suppliers are also facing uncertainty as processing capacity disappears.
JBS beef plant closure adds to manufacturing losses
Southern California is also feeling the impact. JBS USA, the world’s largest meatpacker, is shutting down its Swift Beef processing facility in Riverside, effective February 2, 2026. The closure will eliminate 374 jobs as production shifts to other locations within the company’s network.
A combined toll across California
Altogether, the closures of the Leprino cheese factory, Del Monte cannery, and JBS beef plant account for an estimated 2,542 lost jobs. The shutdowns highlight mounting pressures on California’s food manufacturing sector, including rising costs, consolidation, and shifting corporate priorities…