Features Production Research
Food plant to close in Exeter, Ont.

April 10, 2008, Exeter, Ont. –
Hope for the CanGro vegetable canning plant in Exeter was dashed April
9 when company officials announced the plant’s doors will be closing
April 30.

April 10, 2008, Exeter, Ont. – Hope for the CanGro vegetable canning plant in Exeter was dashed April 9 when company officials announced the plant’s doors will be closing April 30.

About 130 people will lose their jobs and a large number of seasonal migrant workers will no longer be required.

Ken Oke, the mayor of the Municipality of South Huron, says the demise of the 102-year-old plant will have a big impact on the area's economy.

The former Nabisco, and then Kraft Food, operation said in early January that it would close the plant if a buyer could not be found.

Hopes had been raised when the layoffs had been extended at the end of March and there had been talk of a possible sale. It did not pan out.

CanGro produces canned fruit, tomatoes and vegetables under the brand names Del Monte, Aylmer and Ideal.