The company, which has a long history as a family-run meat distributor since its founding in 1983 under the name Western Boxed Meat, was acquired by California-based Harvest Meat Company in 1998. In March 2017, Harvest Food Distributors merged with Sherwood Food Distributors to form Harvest Sherwood, expanding its meat distribution network nationwide.

While the company did not provide the standard 60-day notice for layoffs, it cited a “faltering company exemption” and has committed to compensating affected employees for the full notice period.

In addition to the Portland closure, Harvest Sherwood is set to lay off 172 employees at its Opa-locka facility in Florida, impacting operations in Miami and Orlando. This decision has raised concerns about job stability in the region, particularly as the shutdown process is expected to conclude by April 21, 2025. The specific reasons for the Florida closures have not been disclosed, but they follow a worrying trend of job losses in South Florida, where several companies have filed WARN notices in 2025.

The layoffs will affect 131 workers at the Miami facility and 41 at the Orlando location. The WARN notice regarding the Florida closures did not specify the reasons for the shutdowns.

Founded in 1969, Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors has been a significant player in the food distribution industry, operating from multiple headquarters in Detroit, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Chicago, and specializing in meat and dairy product distribution to retailers and wholesalers.

As the company moves forward with its shutdowns, the impact on local communities will be significant. The loss of jobs not only affects individual livelihoods but also reduces income and community engagement for many families. The future remains uncertain for those affected as they seek new employment opportunities.

Warren Thomas, Vice President of Operations at Harvest Sherwood Foods, expressed the company’s sentiment, stating, “It is with a truly heavy heart, and a deep sense of sadness, that I must share the news of the closure of all Harvest Sherwood locations.”

As of now, efforts to verify Thomas’s statements with Harvest Sherwood have not yielded a response. This story is developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

In March 2017, Harvest Food Distributors merged with Sherwood Food Distributors to form Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors, which expanded its network of meat distribution across the country. Although the company did not provide the required 60-day notice for the layoffs, citing a “faltering company exemption,” it has committed to paying all affected employees for the full notice period.

In addition to the Portland closure, Harvest Sherwood has also announced the layoff of 172 employees as it prepares to close its Opa-locka facility in Florida, impacting both Miami and Orlando locations. This decision has raised concerns over job stability in the region, especially as employees will remain on the payroll until the shutdown is completed by April 21, 2025. The reasons behind the Florida closures remain unclear, but they follow a troubling trend of job losses in South Florida, where several companies have filed WARN notices in 2025.

The layoffs will affect 131 workers at the Miami facility and 41 at the Orlando location. This shutdown process has already begun, with expectations that it will conclude by mid-April. The WARN notice for the Florida closure did not specify the reasons for shutting down the Opa-locka and Orlando facilities.

Founded in 1969, Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors has been a key player in the food distribution industry, operating from multiple headquarters across locations including Detroit, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Chicago. The company specializes in distributing meat and dairy products to retailers and wholesalers.

As Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors moves forward with its shutdowns, the impact on local communities will be profound. The loss of jobs represents more than just statistics; it signifies a reduction in income, stability, and community engagement for countless families. The future remains uncertain for those affected as they navigate the job market in search of new opportunities.

On Wednesday, a Warren Thomas, a VP of Operations at Harvest Sherwood Foods, stated, “It is with a truly heavy heart, and a deep sense of sadness, that I must share the news of the closure of all Harvest Sherwood locations.” We emailed Harvest Sherwood verifying Warren’s statements and still have not received confirmation.

This story is developing, and as more information emerges, we will inform our readers.