ConAgra foods to close Fresno County tomato paste plant next month

FRESNO, Calif. -- More than 100 valley workers will lose their jobs when the plant in Helm is closed in March.

ConAgra spokespeople say the plant is no longer competitive. The ag giant will now outsource its paste canning to a private processor.

ConAgra packs its tomatoes under the Hunt's label. Work at the plant is mostly seasonal following the summer tomato crop harvest in the Valley.