Harry’s Fresh Food to close Portland plant, lay off workers

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Harry’s Fresh Foods plans to close its operation in Oregon and lay off employees.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Monday that the company will move to Everett, Washington, and shut its Portland factory in August.

Officials say the 80,000-square-foot (7,432-square-meter) food processing and packaging site in Portland is too small and poorly maintained to operate economically.

Officials say 195 employees will lose their jobs.

Harry’s was established 41 years ago in Oregon City as Harry’s Mustache Restaurant. The company sells refrigerated and frozen soups, meals, side-dishes and desserts.

Kettle Cuisine of Massachusetts purchased Harry’s in April.

Kettle’s CEO says it has offered Harry’s Portland employees relocation bonuses to transfer to Everett and severance payments if they decline.

The Everett site employs about 300 and will expand to as many as 500 employees.