Food Processing

Darigold to pay $2M in settlement over Yakima River pollution

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

One of the state’s largest milk producers has reached a settlement with an environmental group related to pollution from its processing facility in Sunnyside.

Lamb Weston: Competition, soft international markets balance gains in North America

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

It was a mixed bag for Lamb Weston in its latest quarterly report, where company officials noted net sales increased quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year but net income declined.

Richland farmworker advocacy organization gets funding for workplace safety

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0500

A Richland-based nonprofit focused on promoting and protecting the contributions of farmworkers is among nine organizations across the state to share in $1.1 million in workplace safety grants.

Walla Walla beverage factory shuts down, puts 58 out of work

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0500

A global beverage company’s Walla Walla bottling and manufacturing plant is shutting down, putting 58 people out of work.

Tri-City ice maker, partner freeze region’s packaged ice market

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0500

A Kennewick-based ice maker and distributor, in partnership with a similar Oregon-based company, has acquired manufacturing, distribution and customer assets of one of its competitors, creating the largest packaged ice manufacturing network in the Pacific Northwest.

More leadership changes at Lamb Weston

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

The global potato processor with a large presence in the Mid-Columbia is shuffling more new faces into its top leadership roles as it continues to recover from sluggish sales and other challenges from past years.

Cold Summit buys more land, bringing $290M investment, 200 jobs

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500

One of the tenants at Pasco’s Reimann Industrial Center hasn’t even broke ground yet but is already planning to more than double its footprint at the quickly-filling industrial park.

In Washington orchards, immigration crackdown sows fear and uncertainty

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

Immigrants not legally authorized to work in the U.S. represent an estimated 40% of the people who help to produce many fruits, vegetables and other labor-intensive crops.

Report: Lamb Weston remains on track for its 2026 fiscal targets

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

Lamb Weston officials were upbeat in their latest quarterly report, with net sales and gross profit climbing by tens of millions of dollars compared to the same quarter last year.

State grant to bring apple processor to lower Yakima Valley

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 21:00:00 -0400

A $250,000 state grant to upgrade a former apple processing facility in Sunnyside will help preserve dozens of jobs while also providing a new buyer for the region’s orchards.

Darigold offers behind-the-scenes look inside new Pasco plant

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Darigold’s Pasco plant that manufactures butter and powdered milk offers behind-the-scenes tour in new video series.

Lamb Weston pulls Connell plant from market, invests in Pasco plant

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Lamb Weston has taken its shuttered Connell plant off the market and plans to invest millions in its Pasco plant as it starts a new fiscal year with some signs of improving fortunes.

Egg processing plant prepares for 2026 opening

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

A national egg producer continues to work toward opening its newest processing hub in Pasco and is looking for more farms to bring on board.

Area manufacturing remains robust but clouds are on horizon

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Manufacturing continues to be one of the fastest growing of the large industry sectors.

Lamb Weston sees increased sales to kick off new fiscal year

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0400

Lamb Weston leaders are projecting guarded optimism as the french fry maker kicks off its 2026 fiscal year.

Port seeks land that would double size of industrial park

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0400

The Port of Pasco wants to buy 320 acres of land adjacent to its Reimann Industrial Center to accommodate higher than anticipated demand for lots at the industrial park.

Industrial park gains steam with rail access, new tenant partnership

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Development of an in-demand industrial park north of Pasco is picking up speed with plans to begin the first phase for a rail track and a partnership with a new tenant to pursue joint loan and grant funding to expand the water system.

Chukar Cherries breaks cherry processing record

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 21:00:00 -0400

It's been a great year for cherries in Washington state and Prosser-based Chukar Cherries has taken full advantage of the 2025 harvest.

Lamb Weston to trim 4% of global workforce

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0400

One of the Tri-Cities’ largest employers, which has already cut hundreds of local workers in the past year, is about to cut roughly 400 more jobs across its global workforce.

Darigold plans upgrades at Spokane plant

ericab@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Following the recent opening of a new dairy processing plant in Pasco, Seattle-based Darigold Inc. is turning attention to its Spokane plant.

Indoor farming company secures $10 million in new funding

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:00:00 -0400

The indoor farming company that recently built a 3-acre warehouse in Pasco has secured $10 million in new funding from an existing investor and taken steps to reduce its debt, the company announced Aug. 4.

Another leadership shakeup at Lamb Weston

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 13:47:44 -0400

One of the Tri-Cities’ largest employers is increasing the size of its board of directors, with a number of its current members stepping down.

Del Monte shuttering Yakima, Wapato facilities

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 21:00:00 -0400

Fruit processor Del Monte Foods is shuttering facilities in Yakima and Wapato as of early August. The closure means the loss of nearly 500 jobs.

Port hires consultant to map next steps in wake of Lamb Weston closure

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 15 May 2025 12:00:00 -0400

The Port of Pasco has selected the consultant that will help inform efforts to revitalize Connell’s economy after Lamb Weston closed its production facility there.

Lamb Weston reports improved sales, cost savings through first months of 2025

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:14:50 -0400

French fry producer Lamb Weston is beginning to see its financials turning a corner. But its corporate leaders acknowledge that they don’t anticipate smooth sailing just yet.

Lamb Weston reverses course, lists Connell plant for sale

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 16:44:13 -0500

After Lamb Weston’s abrupt departure from Connell left hundreds unemployed and the city’s budget devastated, the community now may have a clearer path to bringing a new company to town.

Port, Connell work to find long-term solution to plant closure

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

A $100,000 state grant to study potential industrial sites in Connell may provide a path to economic sustainability for a community still dealing with the closure of its largest employer.

Q&A with Mike Crowley

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Q&A with Mike Crowley, president, North America, Lamb Weston.

Darigold partner to buy land from Port of Pasco

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 12:32:02 -0500

The company known for the branded Milky Way tankers seen on highways ferrying milk from dairies to processors is buying land near one of its biggest partners north of Pasco.

Lamb Weston announces new CEO as it continues to struggle financially

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:46:06 -0500

Lamb Weston’s current chief operating officer will be the next top leader of the Idaho-based potato processor as it wrestles with decreased demand for its products.