Calabasas CA
6-11-2022 2:16am

Farmer John Brand Schedules to Pack Up Vernon Meat Production Plant in 2023

The press release detailed the reason for leaving Vernon in Los Angeles County as being "Smithfield is taking these steps due to the escalating cost of doing business in California."

Interesting history and statistics concerning the meat packing facility in Vernon include how they became a PORK only facility and how for a short duration they were in Santa Clarita!

  • 1931 - Two brothers start curing pork bellies and smoked hams for sale out of their home.
    • Francis and Bernard Clougherty, sons of Irish immigrants, experience came from one working for a meat producer and the other a railroad shipper. Our Story | Farmer John (sfdbrands.com)
    • They started with one employee, Bernards' son.
  • 1945
    • The company was incorporated as Clougherty Brothers Packing Co.
    • "After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Clougherty Brothers begin supplying meat directly to local military bases such as the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton and the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. They were also a primary meat supplier for the Pacific Ocean theater."
  • 1946 - A German immigrant worked with the Irish Immigrants: Eric Fickinger was contracted to improve their sausage production, by reducing the blades in the meat grinder the sought-after spice and flavor profiles were protected in the process! (Less is more)
  • 1948 - The USDA rules that only one animal can be slaughtered in any given facility. Members of the Clougherty family and facility are divided between beef and pork, the pork advocates win. And in fact, to this day only company-owned hogs are harvested at the Vernon facility.
  • 1953 - The company changes their name to a easier pronounce and remember "Farmer John"
  • 1957 - The Clougherty Brothers remember the beginnings of their company, a time during the "Great Drepression" and so they respond to an unemployed studio set artist inquiry for work. Les Grime is commissioned to paint the outside wall but instead voluntarily draws a mural. That mural is an iconic part of the City of Vernon and most likely will be the source of activism to be protected.
  • 1958 - It is Francis Clougherty's friendship with Dodger's owner Walter O'Malley and becomes a sponsor of the Dodgers. This eventually segues into the contract for "Dodger Dogs"
  • 2016 Activist groups participating in the So. California Vigil for Pigs protest at the Vernon facility
  • 2017 - Clougherty / Farmer John becomes a part of Smithfield foods
  • 2019 Shirley Lopez establishes a petition to shut the facility down. Petition · shut down the pig slaughterhouse in the city of Vernon, near Los Angeles · Change.org and protests continue. LA Animal Save Weekly Vigil for Pigs - The Southern California State (jsa.org)
  • 2020 - Farmer John commits to offering Southern California free hot dogs for two years. "For a second year, the Farmer John California Commitment Tour is embarking on a 12-week mission to deliver grab-and-go lunches to local heroes and essential businesses in the greater Los Angeles community, and donating much-needed protein to local food banks." Farmer John Embarks On Year Two Of Its California Commitment Tour To Feed, Celebrate And Serve The Greater Los Angeles Area With Free Hot Dogs This Summer (smithfieldfoods.com)
  • 2022 - Smithfield announces the closure of Vernon facility in addition to reducing hog production in the ENTIRE Western Region. Smithfield Foods to Close Vernon, CA Facility; Reduce Hog Production in Western Region
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