Ripon Cookie Plant Closing

One of Ripon’s two cookie plants is closing. About 300 employees of ConAgra Foods in Ripon will be losing their jobs with the company’s decision to close its soft baked and dipped cookie facility. Plans also call for closing a warehouse and the Rippin’ Good Cookie Outlet. The wafer cookie plant will remain open. Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jason Mansmith says that’s a big job loss for the community. He says generations of families have worked at the plant since the 1930’s. Union officials say there will be four rounds of layoffs from September to December. ConAgra officials issued a statement saying the decision was reached after an “extensive evaluation.” They also said employees can apply for other positions with ConAgra Foods if they choose.