Workers mourn pending closure of RyKrisp plant

The RyKrisp production plant in southeast Minneapolis, which has operated since 1926, will close March 16.

ConAgra Foods, Inc. announced the closing to workers at a meeting Jan. 14. The 15 workers employed at the plant are members of Local 22 of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers union.

The vast majority of the RyKrisp employees have worked at the plant for more than 30 years, reported Ron Mohrland, Local 22 president. “There were some tears” at the meeting announcing the closing, he said.

Omaha-based ConAgra purchased the RyKrisp brand and Minneapolis plant in 2013. The RyKrisp brand dates to 1899, when a Scandinavian immigrant began producing rye crackers at a bakery in downtown St. Paul.

Ralston Purina purchased the brand in 1926 and moved production to the current facility in Minneapolis, located at 824 6th Ave. SE.

The Minneapolis RyKrisp plant produces five flavors of rye crackers, distributed nationwide.

Mohrland said RyKrisp production will not move to another plant when the Minneapolis plant closes, bringing an end to a storied brand. “It’s an icon,” Mohrland said. “It’s been around forever.”

Mohrland said the RyKrisp workers will receive a severance package under their Local 22 contract and that ConAgra told workers they would receive priority in hiring at other local ConAgra facilities.