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Faribault Foods Inc. has been canning corn since it was founded by a group of local investors almost 120 year ago, but as the company moves into 2004 it will leave its vegetable canning past behind.
Beginning this month, the company known for products such as Butter Kernel corn and green beans will terminate its vegetable canning business to focus more on value-added canned products - such as pastas and stews. The change, said CEO Reid MacDonald, will make the company stronger and more competitive.
The company sold its Wisconsin vegetable canning plant last month and is restructuring its Faribault Foods operations, said MacDonald. Roughly 40 seasonal and 12 full-time positions in Faribault will be lost. In addition, at least 100 farmers who have relied on contracts to grow for the company will be affected.
The company will continue to sell its vegetable brands, but they will be canned by San Francisco-based Del Monte Foods Co.
"It will be the first time in...