News Summary
Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors is closing two Florida locations and laying off hundreds of employees nationwide, citing rising costs and a declining market. The company, which operates multiple facilities across the U.S., is navigating significant workforce reductions as it struggles with financial pressures. This decision reflects broader trends of layoffs in the food distribution industry, worrying employees and communities affected by the shifts in operations.
Major Layoffs and Closures Hit Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors
Detroit, the city known for its vibrant automotive history and rich cultural heritage, is now facing an unsettling shift in the local food distribution landscape. Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors LLC, a long-standing player in the industry, is set to close two locations in Florida and lay off hundreds of employees across various states. This news has sent shockwaves through the communities affected, as workers grapple with the uncertain future ahead.
Shutdowns in the Sunshine State
On February 18, **Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors** issued a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) that announced significant operational shutdowns. The company is closing its impressive 150,000-square-foot center at 12345 NW 38th Ave. in Opa-locka, where 134 workers will lose their jobs. Additionally, a 45,000-square-foot facility at 901 Eunice Ave. in Orlando will also be shutting its doors, affecting another 41 employees. The layoff process began promptly on February 18 and is expected to wrap up by April 21, with employees remaining on payroll until that date.
Impact Across the Country
But it’s not just Florida feeling the sting. Harvest Sherwood is also cutting 96 jobs at its Portland, Oregon facility, and there will be a significant impact back at its Detroit location, which is closing down and laying off around 255 employees. In total, the company, which currently employs approximately 1,500 people throughout the United States, is facing significant reductions in workforce.
Challenges Leading to the Closure
The troubling decision to shut down operations comes amid rising costs and a declining market for many of the company’s products. The financial pressures have mounted to a point where the company felt it was no longer practical to keep operations running. Despite hopes of securing additional funding to avert shutdowns, it seems the financial viability of continuing was simply not there.
A Storied Legacy
Founded in 1969, Harvest Sherwood has had a remarkable journey that includes a merger with Harvest Food Distributors back in 2017, solidifying its operations under the current brand. With additional locations stretching across Atlanta, Cleveland, and Chicago, the company provides vital services to over 8,000 customers, which include retailers, wholesalers, cruise lines, and various institutional accounts. They manage to distribute an impressive over 20 million pounds of food products weekly.
Wider Job Cut Trends
This wave of layoffs at Harvest Sherwood comes against a backdrop of declining job cuts nationwide. In January 2025, U.S.-based employers reported a total of 49,795 job cuts, marking a 40% drop from the previous year. States like Tennessee had the highest layoffs in the south, with around 3,453 job cuts, while Florida reported 1,732 layoffs during the same month.
The Road Ahead
As the announcement spreads, employees and their families are left to navigate the financial uncertainty and emotional toll of losing their jobs. Harvest Sherwood’s closures serve as a poignant reminder of the changing landscape in the food distribution sector and the need for companies to adapt in an increasingly challenging economic environment. For now, the focus will be on ensuring that those affected have the necessary support during this transition period as the company winds down its operations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Detroit Free Press: Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors to Cease Operations Nationwide
- News Break: Florida Food Distribution Center to Close
- MSN: Layoffs Expected at C&S Wholesale Grocers
- FreightWaves: Layoffs Hit More Than 900 Workers in Freight Industry
- Wikipedia: Food Distribution
