NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Brown’s Dairy will close its milk-processing plant in Central City. Production will be phased out over the next several months and about 185 jobs will be lost.

Dean Foods said a significant portion of food production will still remain in the state of Louisiana at their Hammond facility.

Brown’s products will also continue to be available in New Orleans and existing markets, which include Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, and parts of Southern Alabama.

“We regret the impact that this result will have on our employees and our community,” Dustin Cox, spokesperson for Dean Foods said. “The decision to eliminate jobs in any part of our business is never an easy one. This move does not reflect the quality of work performed by our Brown’s Dairy employees, but the need to enhance our capabilities.”

Read Dean Foods full statement below:

The fluid milk processing facility that Dean Foods operates in New Orleans, Louisiana, will come to an end as a result of our need to enhance manufacturing capabilities in the area. This decision was made after a careful review of the facility and how we can best support our customers in the region.

This move will eliminate approximately 185 positions at the plant in New Orleans. Production will be phased out over the next several months. We will certainly make everyone aware of open positions throughout Dean Foods and encourage them to consider applying.

A significant portion of the production will remain in the state of Louisiana at our Hammond facility. Brown’s products will continue to be available to our consumers in New Orleans and existing markets, which include Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, and parts of Southern Alabama.

We regret the impact that this result will have on our employees and our community. The decision to eliminate jobs in any part of our business is never an easy one. This move does not reflect the quality of work performed by our Brown’s Dairy employees, but the need to enhance our capabilities.