Vineland businessman starts petition to save Progresso
VINELAND - A business owner here was moved to tears when he learned about the pending closure of the Vineland Progresso plant that currently employs 370 people.
Praful Thakkar has come to know plenty of Progresso workers over the years from his time operating Todd's and J&J news agencies in town.
RELATED: General Mills plans to close Vineland Progresso plant
When word of the plant's potential demise broke Thursday, Thakkar felt obligated to take action. He's started what he calls the "Citizens Council," a movement designed to collect signatures for a petition to save the Progresso soup factory.
"I was shocked, and it's just very sad," said Thakkar, a business owner in Vineland since 1990. "This is one of the only high-paying jobs around here besides the hospital. We are very fortunate to have that company here."
General Mills, which acquired the Progresso factory at 500 W. Elmer Road in 2001, told employees there Thursday morning that the company had made a tentative decision to close it some time in summer 2017.
Kelsey Roemhildt, a spokeswoman for General Mills, said employees were sent home after the announcement Thursday and would remain off work Friday. The work force was told to return on Monday.
The news sent shockwaves throughout the Vineland community and beyond, and prompted immediate responses from both local and state officials.
“I’m not happy right now,” Vineland Mayor Ruben Bermudez told The Daily Journal on Thursday. “This is something that’s going to hurt our city, and I’m hoping that something can be done.”
Thakkar put petition sheets on the checkout counters at both of his stores and collected close to 40 names and phone numbers in a matter of hours.
He's hoping public support for the cause continues to mount.
"We don't know what's going to happen, but it has to start somewhere," Thakkar said. "This is the groundwork and I hope it goes somewhere from here."
RELATED: Officials vow to try to keep Progresso in Vineland
Thakkar said he was scheduled to meet with Bermudez on Friday to alert him of the petition effort. He planned to contact state and federal government officials as well.
Like Bermudez, other officials were critical of General Mills' decision.
State Sen. Jeff Van Drew spoke to General Mills Thursday morning after getting a first report of an announcement a day earlier.
“I’m obviously seriously disturbed by this,” Van Drew told The Daily Journal. “I’m going to do everything to help. These are hard-working people. It’s going to have a severe detrimental effect on the economy.”
U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo also weighed in on his Twitter account, saying "I stand with Vineland shocked by news & fully support efforts to appeal decision. #Progresso history IS Vineland & future should be too."
Thakkar urged the community to visit his stores solely to sign the petition or to call (856) 691-9628 to have your name added.
The stores hours are:
- Todd's News Agency: Monday-Saturday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is located at 235 S. Delsea Drive in Vineland.
- J&J News Agency: Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is located at 792 N. Main Road in Vineland.
Thakkar's outlook is optimistic, even if in the end Progresso can't be saved.
"It's not an immediate closing," Thakkar said. "We still have time and hopefully we can bring this situation under control."
Anthony Coppola; (856) 563-5258; acoppola@gannettnj.com
