Decatur ice cream plant closure delayed

DECATUR, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — An ice cream manufacturing plant in Decatur, which is set to permanently close, will operate two months longer than previously announced. Kansas City-based Dairy Farmers of America Inc. has notified the state it intends to extend operations of two production lines through November.

The company announced in June it was closing the Adams County plant due to “changing market conditions. More than 160 workers are losing their jobs with layoffs starting this week.

The announced layoffs are to take place in waves through the fall months. The additional ice cream production means workers who were scheduled for termination in mid-October will now have the option to work through mid-December. DFA expects the closure to be completed by December 31.

The plant produces a variety of ice creams under the Mayfield Dairy, Dean’s Country Fresh, and Friendly’s brands. DFA acquired Deans Foods in 2020 as it was going through bankruptcy.