JONESBORO — The Nestle USA plant in Jonesboro is laying off 70 workers and cutting production from six to four days per week.
The company announced Friday that the reductions will start Feb. 11.
Nestle officials say increased prices for meat, dairy and grains are behind the cuts. But company officials say the plant will still have 600 workers and there are no plans to close the facility. The plant produces Stouffer’s and Lean Cuisine frozen meals.
When construction was announced in 2001, Nestle said it expected to have 1,000 workers at the plant. The Jonesboro Sun reports the company says that the long recession that followed, along with increased prices for food and fuel, have kept the plant from growing.