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Maria Baez shows boxes of cookies she brought from the Nabisco plant on its last day of production, Friday, July 16, 2021, in Fair Lawn, N.J. Baez is grateful for her 42 years of employment at the cookie factory. "I have a big, big (compensation) package," she said. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

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Vehicles enter the Nabisco plant, Friday, July 16, 2021, in Fair Lawn, N.J. Friday was the last day for residents of a New Jersey town to smell the sweet aroma of freshly baked Oreo cookies as the community's Nabisco plant shut down after 63 years. Parent company Mondelēz International confirmed it was the last day of production at the plant, which has baked Oreos, Ritz crackers, Lorna Doone and Teddy Grahams since 1958. The plant's approximate 600 workers have either retired, transferred or were looking for other jobs, the company said. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

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Melinda Ricco, who has worked 27 years at the Nabisco plant, leaves work, Friday, July 16, 2021, in Fair Lawn, N.J. Parent company Mondelēz International confirmed Friday was the last day of production at the plant, which has baked Oreos, Ritz crackers, Lorna Doone and Teddy Grahams since 1958. The plant's approximate 600 workers have either retired, transferred or were looking for other jobs. "I'm sorry this is happening. It's devastating to all my coworkers and myself, said Ricco. "I'm sorry to see this go. There's no reason for it. We produced well here." (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

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Sebastiano Marino heads for his car after working at the Nabisco plant, Friday, July 16, 2021, in Fair Lawn, N.J. Parent company Mondelēz International confirmed it was the last day of production at the plant, which has produced Oreos, Ritz crackers, Lorna Doone and Teddy Grahams since 1958. The plant's approximate 600 workers have either retired, transferred or were looking for other jobs, the company said. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

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Michael Morris drives away from his job at the Nabisco plant, Friday, July 16, 2021, in Fair Lawn, N.J. Friday was the last day for residents of a New Jersey town to smell the sweet aroma of freshly baked Oreo cookies as the community's Nabisco plant shut down after 63 years. Parent company Mondelēz International confirmed it was the last day of production at the plant, which has baked Oreos, Ritz crackers, Lorna Doone and Teddy Grahams since 1958. The plant's approximate 600 workers have either retired, transferred or were looking for other jobs. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

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Lab technician Lorena Mahan prepares to leave the Nabisco plant as it shut down on its last day of production, Friday, July 16, 2021, in Fair Lawn, N.J. The plant has produced Oreos, Ritz crackers, Lorna Doone and Teddy Grahams since 1958. "From day one when I came I remember coworkers saying 'why are they hiring because they are about to close the doors.' So here I am 29 years later." She added, "I wish everyone well. There are jobs out here. I hope no one gets discouraged." (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Nabisco factory in New Jersey closing after 63 years

By Associated Press AP

PUBLISHED 6:26 PM ET Jul. 16, 2021

FAIR LAWN, N.J. (AP) — Friday was the last day for residents of a New Jersey town to smell the sweet aroma of freshly baked Oreo cookies as the community's Nabisco plant shut down after 63 years in operation.

Parent company Mondelēz International confirmed it was the last day of production at the plant, which has produced Oreos, Ritz crackers, Lorna Doone and Teddy Grahams since 1958.

The plant's approximate 600 workers have either retired, transferred or were looking for other jobs, the company said.

Production began slowing when the company announced in February that it would close the plant in New Jersey and one in Atlanta.

“Both Fair Lawn and Atlanta are no longer strategic assets from a geographic footprint perspective and both face significant operational challenges, including aging infrastructure and outdated production capabilities, which would have required significant investment to bring them to the modernized state required for the future,” the company said in a statement in February.

The Atlanta plant closed in June. A plant in Richmond, Virginia, remains open.

“I'm sorry to see this go,” said Melinda Ricco, who has worked at the plant for more than 27 years. Her parents originally worked at the factory in New York and came to New Jersey when it moved.

Local and state officials were disappointed the New Jersey plant was closing. Fair Lawn Mayor Kurt Peluso called it "disgusting.”

The company was reviewing bids for the plant from potential buyers. Records showed the total assessed value of the factory is $29.3 million.

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