Hy-Vee closing 2 facilities as it moves some food prep to local stores; 461 workers impacted
Hy-Vee will end food preparation operations at facilities in Ankeny and Chariton this spring, a move the West Des Moines-based grocer says will impact more than 450 workers.
In a news release Thursday afternoon the company said production of Mealtime items, sandwiches, salads, bakery items and take-and-bake pizzas — done since 2018 at its Fresh Commissary facility in Ankeny — will shift back to local stores starting in May, as will the cutting of fruits and vegetables, which had been handled since 2018 at its Short Cuts facility in Chariton.
The last day of operation at both sites will be June 24.
The changes "will significantly improve product freshness, quality, availability and customer service as more employees will be placed in retail stores," officials said in the release.
Hy-Vee has filed notices for both locations with . Officials say the move will impact 332 employees at the Fresh Commissary in Ankeny and 129 workers at the Short Cuts facility in Chariton.
The company hopes to retain as many employees as possible.
"Hy-Vee is committed to assisting all impacted employees during this transition and is organizing hiring events to place as many employees at Hy-Vee stores as possible to best serve customers," the news release said.
Hy-Vee will maintain ownership of both facilities and will consider "manufacturing more shelf-stable products or repositioning the facilities for different uses," the news release said.
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