Thrive Foods makes apparent abrupt closing of Freeze-Dry site in Albion

Photo by Tom Rivers: Thrive Foods about three years ago acquired the Freeze-Dry facility in Albion at 111 West Ave. Thrive had big plans for the site, but laid off 29 workers in December and today told the remaining staff of 40 the site would be closing. Many of the workers were sent home today.

ALBION – Three years ago the new owner of the Freeze-Dry facility had grand plans for the site, with planned capital investments and more workers.

But this morning, many of the employees were told the site is closing and today was their last day on the job.

There has been no official notice that Thrive Foods is closing the Albion site. There hasn’t been a WARN notification from the Department of Labor. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act helps ensure advance notice if there is a plant closing or mass layoff. The WARN Act applies to layoffs of at least 50 people. Thrive had about 40 employees in Albion.

Thrive already had reduced the Albion workforce by about 30 in December. Back then Thrive had about 75 workers in Albion.

In September 2022, Thrive Foods announced it acquired Freeze-Dry, which at the time had 60 employees. Freeze-Dry had operated for about 20 years out of a 240,000-square-foot facility, which previously was used by Lipton’s and then Ontario Foods at 111 West Ave.

Freeze-Dry Foods specialized in freeze-dried products, including pet treats, proteins and ingredients. It was honored in 2016 as the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year.

The products have a shelf life of up to 25 years because Freeze-Dry eliminates moisture and oxygen, while preserving nutrients, flavor, taste, color and aroma.

Freeze-Dry was one of the few freeze dry companies in the United States. (The technique dehydrates frozen foods so the moisture content changes directly from a solid to a gaseous form. The product maintains its original size and shape with a minimum of cell rupture. Removing moisture prevents a product from deteriorating at room temperature.)

Thrive Foods also manufactures freeze-dried products, including fruits and vegetables, proteins, pet treats, probiotics, enzymes and prepared meals. When Thrive bought the Albion site, it then also had facilities in Modesto, California and American Fork, Utah.

Steve Palmer, CEO of Thrive Foods, met with the Albion workforce on Aug. 26, 2022. He told the staff there would be more jobs, and investment in the Albion facility.

Thrive was eligible for a state grant but the company never met the employment obligations and the application was withdrawn, according to the December minutes of the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

Orleans Hub reached out to Thrive officials for a comment but didn’t get a response yet today.