Fruit, vegetable distributor Caito to cut more than 300 jobs

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Fruit and vegetable distributor Caito Foods is cutting more than 300 jobs at its Indianapolis operation following the loss of a significant contract.

Caito Foods said in a federal WARN Act notification sent Thursday to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development that 333 workers would lose their jobs with its Fresh Cut business by May, The Indianapolis Star reported.

That notice said the layoffs stem from the "recent unforeseen cancellation of a customer contract that makes up the majority of our Fresh Cut business."

Caito Foods' Fresh Cut business division operates out of a facility on Indianapolis' far east side. Its parent company, SpartanNash, said in a statement that the positions set to be eliminated there include directors, managers, production clerks, talent consultants and maintenance technicians.

"This difficult decision was made to support the company's strategy to deliver locally produced fresh cut fruits and vegetables to its independent and national account customers, as well as corporate-owned retail stores," the company's statement said.

The Fresh Cut layoffs would not affect Caito Foods' produce distribution business, the company said.

In October, Caito Foods closed its Fresh Kitchen operation and laid off 53 workers.