Fires at Food Processing Plants Result in Reduced Capacity, Delays, and Layoffs

One food processor forced to lay off entire workforce of about 230 people

A structure fire burns at the Weaver Fertilizer Plant in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Jan. 31, 2022. Allison Lee Isley/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP

Wisconsin River Meats was just weeks from moving into a new addition to its building when a massive construction fire broke out on Feb. 3, destroying the old part of the facility.

Company owner David Mauer said the Mauston-based company “lost everything” related to production in the fire, and more than 20 people lost their jobs.