ConAgra Foods to close cookie plant in Ripon; 300 full-time employees will be laid off

RIPON (AP) — ConAgra Foods says it will close one of its cookie plants in Ripon.

WLUK-TV reports (http://bit.ly/1LerJDz ) about 300 full-time employees will be laid off. WLUK reported workers were being told Monday, May 18th with layoffs starting in September and completed by December.

ConAgra said the closing covers its west plant that makes soft-bake and so-called 'enrobed' cookies. The company's east plant, which makes wafer cookies and employs about 80 people, isn't affected.

A representative from Workers United Local 91 said they are looking for ways to keep the plant open.

Management officials suggested workers apply at other jobs in the company.

"Following an extensive evaluation of our plant network, we have determined that we need to close the soft bake and enrobed cookies facility in Ripon. People can apply for other positions with ConAgra Foods if they choose," Dan Hare with ConAgra Foods said.