Valley poultry giant Foster Farms announced Friday that it will close a turkey processing plant in Turlock effective May 9.

The company said in a news release the closure comes “in response to changes in market demand” as part of an ongoing strategic plan.

Merced Focus Staff

The Merced FOCUS

The Turlock Journal reported the upcoming closure will mean the loss of 519 jobs. Company officials said employees of the Turlock plant will be offered the option to transfer to available opportunities at Foster Farms’ other regional facilities.

The company said it will provide those employees with individualized job placement and support services. No other plant locations are being impacted.

“We recognize that this decision impacts the lives of many of our committed team members and does not reflect their efforts,” Foster Farms CEO Jayson Penn said in the release.

“We thank the team for their contributions, hard work, and ongoing dedication as we support them throughout this transition.”

Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak said in a news release that she is appreciative of the company working with the impacted employees.

“We commend the company for their commitment to working with the city on this, as well as supporting processing plant employees through the job placement and transfer opportunities,” Bublak said.

“We extend our support to the dedicated employees affected by this closure and acknowledge the challenges they face during this transition.”

Founded in 1939, Livingston-based company was purchased by private equity firm Atlas Holdings in 2022.

Foster Farms is the second Valley company to close a key location in recent months. In November, Save Mart supermarkets closed its Yosemite Wholesale Distribution Center in Merced County, which resulted in about 250 job layoffs.

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The Merced FOCUS is a Merced-based newsroom covering issues that matter to the San Joaquin Valley.