Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of April, 2016: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.

Alabama: In Huntsville, after 20 years the Tai Pan Palace restaurant shutdown. In Auburn, after 38 years Price’s Barbeque House shutting down sometime between May and December. The greedy (and tired) owner admitted he decided to ‘join the crowd’ and sell-out to a property developer for a lot of money: “It’s a good living, but it’s a tough one as well. It’s something that I’ve had to think about for a very long time, and I can’t go on forever. The timing is just right, as sad as it is.”-Jeff Price

Arizona: The city of Nogales is bemoaning the planned shutdown of the money making Kmart in July. It’s a money making store because the city collects boo-koo sales tax off it, and city managers don’t know what they’re going to do after the Big Kmart (it’s also sells groceries) shuts down! The Big Kmart is a money maker because many of its customers are Mexicans who shop on the U.S. side of the border, because the variety is better in the U.S. than in Mexico. Christopher Teal, U.S. Consul General in Nogales, Mexico, said “They’re shopping, they’re at the malls, they’re out buying, they’re out doing activities. It has a huge impact for our economy in Arizona and our economy in the United States, I can’t speak positively enough really about that part of the relationship.” In other words, Sears Holdings’ Eddie Lampert is shutting down a profit making international store!

California: The largest grocery wholesaler in the United States, United Grocers, announced they’re shutting down their Los Angeles distribution ops, 132 jobs lost by June!  In Gonzales, food packager Sonora Packing issued a shutdown WARN, 176 jobs gone by mid-June!  In Torrance, Japan based Kubota Tractor shutting down, 72 jobs gone by mid-June. In Milpitas, family owned Raley’s is shutting down their 28 years old Nob Hill Foods grocery store by the end of May. 50 jobs lost due to lack of sales, Raley’s administrators say they wanted to shutdown their Milpitas location three years ago.  In Isle Vista, after two years Jimmy John’s suddenly shutdown their sandwich shop. Apparently the franchise owner wanted out and tried to sell it, but nobody wanted to buy.  In Livermore, the decades old Applebee’s restaurant suddenly shutdown because, according to the manager, “It just was not economically feasible anymore.”  In Auburn, after 20 years The Chocolate Shoppe & Gift Emporium (and art gallery) shutting down by the end of May, the owners want to retire.  In North Oakland, after 90 years (surviving The Great [deflationary] Depression and numerous recessions) Genova Delicatessen shutdown due to disagreements over the rent: “We’ve always felt the prices should be reasonable and the food really good quality which we have been able to manage, but the cost of doing business is to the point now where it became uncomfortable.”-Patti DeVincenzi

Colorado:  Albertsons-Safeway shutting down the Pueblo Safeway grocery store on 29th Street, 59 jobs lost.  In Cameo, after 58 years Eagles Nest Family Dining shutdown. The restaurant was sold to a Texas based corporation in 2015, and they’ve decided it wasn’t making enough money.

Connecticut:  In Fairfield, after 66 years the Angus Steakhouse shutting down, supposedly it’s being replaced with a new thing called Little Pub.  bfresh issued a shutdown WARN for its Fairfield grocery store, 84 jobs lost by mid-June.  In Norwalk, Guckenheimer Bridgewater On-Site Commissary issued a WARN, 90 jobs gone by June.

Florida: In Fort Myers, John’s Good Food popular BBQ joint shutting down tomorrow, due to a combination of the owner’s ongoing health problems and the greedy landlord kicking him out. Netherlands based Louis Dreyfus Company Citrus eliminating 59 jobs and shutting down its Winter Garden ops by the end of May. The orange juice maker sold its Winter Garden ops to a competitor (Peace River Citrus) who apparently has no plans to continue the operation. In Dania, Cohen Dania Beach Hotel-Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port Hotel eliminating 112 hospitality jobs by June, supposedly for remodeling that will take more than a year!  The Ritz Carlton issued a WARN for their Bal Harbor food service ops in Miami, 89 jobs lost by mid-June.  Drink supplier Brown Distributing issued a WARN, 84 jobs in Orlando gone by the end of June.  In Fort Myers, after 15 years 3 Fisherman Seafood Restaurant shutdown. The owner actually blames it on the success of his second 3 Fisherman location: “For five years now I’ve been saying I would close that location, but it’s easier said than done.”-John Browning, who says he’s thinking about consolidating his other restaurants as well

Georgia: In Hephzibah, a Food Lion grocery store suddenly shutdown this past weekend, administrators say they couldn’t renew the lease. In Augusta, a Kroger grocery store shutting down soon. Kroger reps blame the shutdown on crashing sales, 110 Kroger employees will become jobless by June! Kim Hines of G.R.O.W. Harrisburg has an ominous warning: “A ‘food desert’ is a lack of access to fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy foods. So it’s a dependency on a community on convenience store foods and processed foods, or in some cases no food at all.” 

Hawaii: In Hilo, after almost 65 years food joint Kawate Seed Shop forced to shutdown by the landlord who jacked up the rent!

Idaho:  The University of Idaho has confirmed that several wheat fields are infected with the fungus Stripe Rust.  The fields are near the towns/cities of Aberdeen, American Falls and Pocatello.  A warning has also been issued because the fungus is showing signs of evolving, becoming resistant to fungicides and meaning some wheat varieties that are considered resistant to Stripe Rust might become susceptible.    Despite boasting of a recovering economy the self proclaimed ‘christian’ leaders of Idaho have decided they must ration the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, incorrectly called Food Stamps). Starting in July instead of getting all their food assistance on a single day, it will be spread over a ten days period, affecting 82-thousand of Idaho’s 1.5-million residents. It was revealed that this rationing of food assistance was actually ordered by state ‘elected christian lawmakers’ back in 2014! The British empire created christian Salvation Army protested the SNAP rationing by pointing out that poor Idahoans have been screwed so much by state ‘christian lawmakers’ that up to 90% of people coming into Salvation Army food banks are there to supplement the meager scraps given them by Idaho’s SNAP!  

The USDA is refusing to pay for destroying several eastern Idaho farms!  In 2006 U.S. Department of Agriculture weenie heads freaked out when a potato eating parasite showed up in Idaho, and in 2007 ordered massive use of methyl bromide pesticide.  The result is that some farms, and even cows, were contaminated beyond saving.  The catastrophic spraying of Idaho farms continued until 2014 when a USDA manager realized it was doing more harm than good.  At least two family farms have been destroyed and those families asked the USDA to make reparations.  The USDA refused and literally told the now impoverished families to ‘sue us’! 

Illinois:  Glazer Stoller Wholesale shutting down their booze distribution operations in Elk Grove Village, 170 jobs gone by the end of May!   Meijer finally revealed how many people in Niles will become jobless when they shutdown their grocery store, 118 by June!  In Chicago, after 34 years Bel-Port Liquors forced to shutdown by the greedy landlord who made a better deal with a coffee shop: “I’m losing everything. ….This is what puts food on my table. All of a sudden, he [landlord] turned 360 degrees on me! I’ve never seen him like this before.”-Joe Barbari, liquor store owner who says rents everywhere are too high for him to open a new store

Indiana:  In Union City, British empire Canada owned Applegate Livestock Equipment shutting down and laying off 80 people.  It’s been revealed that the Castleton Perkins restaurant was forced to shutdown by the greedy landlord, who then tore it down for ‘new development’: “We did everything we possibly could to talk them into letting us stay, but the landlords had other ideas. Our lease was up in February, and we were forced to closed.”-Gail VonHolten, former restaurant owner

Iowa:  In Clive, DCG Foods shutting down their Cash Saver grocery store as soon as the inventory is gone. The Cash Saver used to be a Dahls, which went bankrupt. The shutdown is blamed on lack of sales.  In Williamsburg, Kinze Manufacturing eliminating 121 jobs, blaming low crop prices for killing its farm equipment sales!

Kansas: In Olathe, popular K-Macho’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina was suddenly shutdown by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, because restaurant owners couldn’t confirm the ‘legality’ of their employees: “K Macho restaurant in Olathe, Kansas, was recently served, via U.S. Mail, an official notice to submit all form I-9 documentation to HSI auditors for inspection.”-Shawn Neudauer, Homeland Security

Kentucky: In Louisville, after 73 years grocery store First Link now up for auction. The grocery section is shutdown, but the Liquor Store ops will continue until the auction, which is mid-May. I have yet to find info as to why it’s being auctioned (other than the company needs the money).

Louisiana: In Baton Rouge, after seven years Truly Free Bakery & Deli suddenly shutdown by greedy landlord who refuses to properly fix the sewage system: “We are in a battle with our landlord over a very serious and quite frankly, disgusting issue. We have had major sewer problems for over 3 years, and to our frustration, this problem was never fully fixed—only temporary ‘band aides’ were attempted. This issue has persisted and has been more problematic over the last year.”– Erick and Ainsley Coughlin, owners

Maryland: In Laurel, after 25 years the Silver Diner shutting down because “from an economic standpoint, it didn’t make sense to renew” the lease.

Massachusetts:  Bay Valley Foods shutting down their Ayer food factory, 1-hundred jobs lost by the end of 2017! Like the rest of unAmerican corporate America, Bay Valley Foods is joining the growing trend of consolidation.  In Burlington, Texas based jungle themed Rainforest Cafe shutdown. Local news sources think it’s being replaced with a furniture store.

Michigan:  In Okemos, Cravings Gourmet Popcorn shutting down their operations and consolidating ops to Lansing.  In Shields, restaurant Bob Evans (on Gratiot) shutdown, 44 jobs lost due to lack of sales.  In Midland, God refuses to stop ‘his’ Lutheran church owned Journeys Coffee House, on Main Street, from shutting down in June. God was powerless against greedy landlords as senior pastor Ed Doerner blamed “…substantial rent increases and other stipulations from our landlord.” 

Minnesota:  In Duluth, after 20 years Timber Lodge Steakhouse shutting down, about 50 jobs lost due to crashing sales.

Missouri:  Twin Rivers shutting down their Neosho chicken processing factory by June, 3-hundred jobs lost! The WARN gave no reason. Local news speculate that operations are being consolidated, and also stated that employee turnover was always high due to low wages.  In Bridgeton, SchnuckS Markets shutting down their grocery distribution center as work is being consolidated into a new larger facility in Saint Louis. But don’t think the SchnuckS’ employees will be transferred, local news media discovered the employees at the new facility will be cheap-o contractors, meaning 190 good paying jobs in Bridgeton gone between July and September!  The owner of a Saint Joseph McDonald’s is so desperate to increase customer traffic that he’s offering all you can eat french fries. But wait, there’s more! The Saint Joseph Mickey-D’s is also eliminating human cashiers and replacing them with automated kiosks!

New Jersey:  The 35 years old IHOP restaurant in Raleigh shutting down on Hillsborough Street. It’s claimed that a new IHOP will be built a few blocks away.

New York:  Sodexo lost its food contract with Fordham University, 382 jobs gone by the end of June!  In Lower Manhattan NYC, ‘tasting-menu’ restaurant Recette shutting down. The owner is consolidating the concept with one of his other restaurants, in an attempt to save money on escalating rents.  Liddabit Sweets shutdown their there years old Chelsea Market shop.  In NYC, restaurant 790 French did not renew its lease at The Hilton Garden Inn Times Square, 64 jobs lost by the end of June.  Also in NYC, TGI Friday’s Restaurant on 677 Lexington Avenue shutting down, 36 jobs lost by mid-July. In Galway, after 59 years Chuck’s Store restaurant shutting down so the original owners can retire.  In Canton, Blackbird Cafe shutdown, instead of the promised renovations, 11 jobs lost. The upstairs music venue Parkview also shutdown. The owner of both establishments blames the decision to shutdown (instead of renovating) on a sudden 50% crash in sales since last year! The owner suspects that two new restaurants are to blame (and this is a sign the local market can’t support that many eateries).  The Four Seasons Restaurant issued a shutdown WARN, 130 jobs lost by the end of July!  In Latham, Bob & Ron’s Fish Fry shutting down due to “Mainly the economy, high cost of seafood, demand. And to be honest there is no way we could pay the high minimum wage that is coming and mandatory 3 months paid sick leave…” 

North Carolina:  MillerCoors issued a shutdown WARN for its Eden brewing ops. The first round of layoffs will begin in June, in total 349 jobs will be lost by the time the brewery shuts down! Local news reports say at one point the brewery employed more than 5-hundred people. MillerCoors administrators basically said the bad economy is forcing them to join the growing trend of consolidating operations.  In Durham, after nine years Triangle Brewing Company shutting down in May, due to a sudden increase in competition.

Ohio:  Columbus based restaurant chain Bob Evans conducting a second round of mass restaurant shutdowns. Last year they shutdown 20 eateries, this year it’ll be 27 stores and 1-thousand 1-hundred jobs lost! The overwhelming majority of those restaurants being shutdown are ‘owned properties’ of Bob Evans and the plan is to try and raise $20-million USD by selling them.

Oregon:  Albertsons-Safeway shutting down their Portland Safeway grocery store, on SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway, 53 jobs lost in May. It’s because the store is within one mile of an Albertsons.

Pennsylvania:   Meadowbrook Meat issued a layoff WARN, 76 jobs in Lancaster gone by mid-June. In York, Durham School Services announced it will eliminate 88 jobs by the beginning of June.  After 63 years iconic The Matey’s Crossroads Hotel Pizza & Steaks shutting down after a failed attempt to sell it.

Tennessee:  In Farragut, after 24 years the original Aubrey’s restaurant (originally called Aubrey’s Cafe) shutting down by mid-May. The administrators blame the shutdown on the age of the building.

Texas: In Fort Worth, after 36 years Rig Steakhouse shutdown, possibly due to road construction that reduced customer access, the property is for sale.  In Arlington, after two years Super Chix sandwich shop suddenly shutdown last week, administrators said “We tried for two years, but not enough people came.”

Virginia: State Department of Health has halted shellfish harvesting along the Black River, due to a massive sewage spill in Hampton Roads.  They hope the water will clear up by the end of the month.   Rock Bottom Brewery shutting down its Ballston Common Mall location. Local news reports said corporate administrators ignored inquiries as to why they’re shutting it down.   In Richmond not even two years after opening an upscale grocery store-restaurant Southern Season-Southerly shutting down, 115 people forced to transfer or become jobless! Administrators say the location is too expensive to operate because they built it too big: “We had hoped to do more volume in the store. Maybe we overestimated….Most retailers are downsizing….”-Dave Herman, president

Washington DC:  After 41 years Bistro Français shutting down so the owner can retire.

Wisconsin:  In Madison, after 15 years Takara restaurant shutting down supposedly because they can’t renew the lease.  In Madison, after 22 years restaurant Bluephies being shutdown, supposedly a new restaurant will take its place. Despite the greedy owners claiming Bluephies is “doing great”, they’re concerned they need something that will create more ‘growth’ (higher profits) over the next 20 years.

Wyoming: The state rejected a plan to give away $2.9-million USD in tax money to Grand Teton Distillery, to build a new operation in Alpine. The plan was opposed by other distillers and local farmers. Several distillers pointed out that they have not received state grants for their operations, and the Grand Teton Distillery plans to buy all its vodka potatoes from Idaho, instead of local farmers.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Fracking Food Crisis: 1,400 public water systems contaminated with lead, affecting 3.6-million people, coincides with oil industry Fracking! 

March 2016: “Sales aren’t even close….Not even close!”