Conagra Brands is planning to shutter a Missouri ingredients plant in January, the latest food and beverage company to shrink its manufacturing footprint as consumers pull back on spending.
The facility in Macon, Missouri, is set to close on Jan. 15, 2027. A WARN notice filed in the state said 442 workers will be laid off.
The plant manufactures food ingredients used for frozen meals made in other facilities, Conagra said in a statement to Food Dive. Production will be shifted primarily to locations in Arkansas.
“The decision follows a careful review of our manufacturing network and reflects our ongoing work to operate as effectively and efficiently as possible while supporting the needs of the business,” Conagra said. “This decision was not made lightly.”
Conagra CEO John Brase told Food Dive in July that he was prepared to make “bold decisions” to turn around performance at the Orville Redenbacher and Healthy Choice maker, which has been slowed by a complex portfolio and a failure to invest enough in on-trend snack and frozen offerings.
The company has already exited its Celeste frozen pizza business and is considering other brands and SKUs to cut, he told analysts in October.
Conagra recently forecast organic net sales during its 2027 fiscal year to drop between 1% and 3% after slipping 0.4% in the prior year.
Food companies have been hit hard by a slowdown in consumer spending due to inflation, a shift toward healthier, less processed offerings and an uptick in GLP-1 use. Many have been actively shuttering plants in 2026 as they navigate a challenging market and aim to bring supply in line with demand.
PepsiCo, The Campbell’s Company and Tyson Foods are among the companies that have announced closures this year. Earlier this week, Nerds maker Ferrara said it will close a Chicago manufacturing plant in April.
