Over the next two years, the closure of Blue Diamond’s historic midtown plant will cost Sacramento a major employer, and empty a 50-acre, century-old manufacturing site in one of the city’s central neighborhoods.

But the move, a Blue Diamond official said Friday, is necessary to protect California almond farmers.

Though Blue Diamond’s label is sold in grocery stores around the world, it operates as a cooperative, owned by its growers. Financial turmoil for the organization would translate into lower payments for Blue Diamond’s farmers. And the industry has been challenged over the last five years.

“The only option now — in order to protect the legacy of the cooperative, and the payments we’re able to give to the family farms who are our members — is to consolidate,” said Alicia Rockwell

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