Conagra Closing Soulless, Gutless, Morris Co. Senator Says

PARSIPPANY, NJ — State Senator Joe Pennacchio blasted Conagra's decision to lay off nearly 300 Parsippany workers, calling the timing of the announcement soulless and gutless.

“I have one thing to say to Conagra – shame on you,” Pennacchio said in a statement. “Announcing layoffs two weeks before Christmas is a gutless and soulless thing to do.”

Conagra announced they would be closing the Parsippany and Cherry Hill locations sometime in 2019 in a statement last week. According to notices filed with the state, 308 Parsippany employees and 196 in Cherry Hill will be laid off.

Both New Jersey offices used to be owned by Pinnacle Foods; that company was sold to Conagra earlier in 2018 for nearly $11 billion, NJ.com reported. Conagra makes a wide variety of food brands, including Hebrew National, Marie Callender's, Slim Jims, and Chef Boyardee.

Pennacchio also lambasted the timing of the closure so quickly after Conagra purchased Pinnacle.

“Conagra just purchased Pinnacle in October. They knew exactly what they were doing. They couldn’t care less about the hundreds of people who have spent years working in Parsippany,” Pennacchio said.

"I am a strong supporter of the business community, but I’ll always put my constituents first. There is no denying that Governor Murphy’s bad-for-business agenda is forcing companies out of state, but to be clear – that’s not what happened here. Conagra knew what they were getting into. It seems like they bought Pinnacle, just to make a quick buck. That is shameful," Pennachio said.

Some employees will be invited to apply for positions at other Congra locations in Chicago or Omaha, Nebraska, where the corporate offices are located.

Pennacchio invited affected employees to reach out to his office for assistance ahead of the holidays.

"If any of the families who are coping with these layoffs are in need of toys for their children, or any other type of assistance in the wake of this upheaval, please reach out to my district office.We will help you in any way we can," he said in a statement. His office's phone number is (973) 227-4012.

Image via Sen. Pennacchio