Purchase-based PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division is closing its plant in Liberty in Sullivan County. The plant has been used to produce the snack PopCorners. PopCorners is a corn snack, shaped in a triangle, that is air popped rather than being fried and comes in a variety of flavors. The PopCorners line of snacks includes Flex Protein Crisps and Flourish Veggie Crisps.
According to a notice filed by Frito-Lay with the New York State Department of Labor, layoffs of the 287 employees at the plant will begin May 1 and will be completed by June 6. The reason specified for the closure is economic. Frito-Lay said the employees are not represented by a union.
On Dec. 2, 2019, PepsiCo announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire BFY Brands, the maker of PopCorners snacks and that the operation would become part of PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America division. At that time BFY Brands operated the plant in Liberty as well as a plant in Middletown in Orange County, both making PopCorners. In June of last year Frito-Lay notified the state that at the end of August it would begin laying off 88 of the 305 employees at the Middletown site. Economic factors were cited as the reason for the layoffs.
In a statement regarding the Liberty closure, PepsiCo said, “This plant has played a vital role in producing our beloved PopCorners brand, but the pace of growth for this product line paired with broader industry pace of growth has made it difficult to sustain the site’s long-term viability. We deeply appreciate the contributions of our Liberty employees, and this decision does not diminish the value of their hard work and dedication. We have notified our workforce and are working closely with our employees and local community officials to provide a supportive transition.”
Sullivan County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz, Town of Liberty Supervisor Frank DeMayo and Village of Liberty Mayor Joan Stoddard jointly issued a joint statement on the plant closing.
“We are deeply concerned about PepsiCo’s decision to shutter their Liberty food manufacturing facility, which has been an integral part of our community for decades and employs hundreds of locals. This action will have many impacts, which we intend to sort out with PepsiCo’s assistance in the coming weeks,” Rajsz, DeMayo and Stoddard said. “Sullivan County, the Town of Liberty, the Village of Liberty and partners like the Chamber of Commerce and Partnership for Economic Development will be assisting the impacted workers in every way we can, including by providing needed services to individuals and families, and offering the full support of our Center for Workforce Development in keeping our residents locally employed.”
