83-year-old family-run turkey farm abruptly shutters… just two years after being bought by private equity

An 83-year-old family-run turkey farm is set to close, just two years after being taken over by private equity. 

Foster Farms in California’s Central Valley announced in January that it is set to close its fresh turkey processing plant on May 9. 

The closure of its Turlock plant will result in the loss of 519 jobs, but affected employees will be given the option to transfer to the Foster Farms locations in Livingston, Fresno or Porterville.

The company has also promised to provide job placement services and support for affected employees during the transition. 

‘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 a statement. 

Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak has also pledged resources to help the workers impacted by the closures. 

‘We extend our support to the dedicated employees affected by this closure and acknowledge the challenges they face during this transition,’ the mayor said.  

The company, first established in 1939, was taken over by private equity firm Atlas Holdings in 2022. 

Foster Farms confirmed that its fully cooked poultry plant also in Turlock will continue to operate. 

‘Foster Farms will continue to have a significant presence in the Central Valley and remain a key employer in the Turlock community,’ the company said in a statement. 

The Turlock facility once processed Butterballs before being bought by Foster Farms in 1998.

The poultry industry in undergoing a large restructuring that has seen comparable companies such as Cargill announce plant closures earlier this year. 

Foster Farms has not confirmed whether the avian flu outbreaks across the state have played a role in the plant’s closures.

The latest outbreak of avian flu in California has hit a turkey farm not far away in San Joaquin County on February 3, Watt Poultry reported. 

Already this year seven commercial flocks have been struck in California, following the 59 that were affected last year. 

America’s largest breakfast chain, Waffle House, has implemented a surcharge on eggs amid the crisis. 

The closure will result in the loss of 519 jobs but employees will be offered transfer options 

The Turlock facility once processed Butterballs before being bought by Foster Farms in 1998

The latest outbreak of avian flu has hit a turkey farm not far away in San Joaquin County

The Georgia-based restaurant chain with more than 2,000 locations across 25 states announced Monday it has implemented a 50 cent per egg surcharge across all of its menus. 

The breakfast giant known for its affordable meals described the price increase as a ‘temporary targeted surcharge’ made by executives, rather than a price increase across the board.

It said: ‘Quality, fresh-cracked, Grade A Large eggs will remain a key ingredient in many of our customers’ favorite meals.’

Of the nationwide egg shortage, it said: ‘Consumers and restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions.

‘We are continuously monitoring egg prices and will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow.’

Waffle House’s decision signals the strain on the supply chain amid the ongoing H5N9 outbreak, which started back in 2022.