Fairfield-based Jelly Belly plans layoffs

Still reeling from closure of the Anheuser-Busch factory, Fairfield got more bad news recently with an announcement by Ferrara Candy Company that it would be laying off workers at its Fairfield Jelly Belly facilities in the coming year.

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Mayor Catherine Moy announced the news on her Facebook page late Friday, saying the company informed city leaders that 69 employees will lose their jobs as part of a planned consolidation of administrative services at its out-of-state headquarters.

Her social post included images of a warn letter from the company which indicates that the  69 layoffs will not affect its manufacturing, warehousing or Visit Center jobs.

“We write to inform you that Ferrara Candy Company (“Ferrara”) is ceasing its Fairfield corporate-commercial operations, located at One Jelly Belly Lane, 2400 N. Watney Way, 2500 N. Watney Way, and 2385 N. Watney Way, Fairfield, CA 94533,” reads the letter, signed by Sukrat Barber, assistant general counsel with Ferrara Candy Company. “This layoff is expected to be permanent.”

The company notes that there are 374 employees at the Fairfield location and that the company will continue making candy, warehousing and offering tours.

A list of affected positions includes office administrative posts ranging from graphic designers to accounting and marketing posts. The layoffs will be done in phases beginning the first two weeks of June and then the first two weeks of each month through Jan. 14, 2027.

In addition, the company said it does not plan to coordinate support with the Work Force Development Board or other entities but did send affected employees contact info for the WDB for information about rapid response services and other assistance. And also send information on the CalFresh food assistance program and its help line.

While the news is tempered by the fact that manufacturing of the candy is not ending, it none-the-less comes on the heels of the closure of the Anheuser-Busch facility as well as other major employer cuts elsewhere in the county.

Moy said efforts continue to help employees affected by those closures and said city staff will work the WBD to help Jelly Belly affected staff, as needed.

And she said, the city continues to see “healthy interest” from companies “considering buying the Budweiser plant.”