Bay State Milling to shutter Woodland operations, eliminating 35 local jobs
Bay State Milling, a national supplier of grain-based ingredients, will close its Woodland facility on Oct. 31, eliminating 35 local manufacturing positions and one remote job.
The company announced the closure on July 15, citing shifting market conditions and a strategic move away from certain product lines.
The Woodland plant currently produces chickpea flour, rice flour, cinnamon, and Simply Safe Heat Treated Flours — all of which the company will phase out as it focuses on higher-growth ingredients, such as its Sow Naked Mindfully Farmed Oats.
“We basically had a disadvantageous constellation of forces where the profitability was just not strong enough for us to continue,” President and CEO Pete Levangie said in an interview.
Employees will receive severance packages, job placement support, and will be considered for roles at Bay State Milling’s other facilities, though it’s unclear how many plan to stay with the company. The nearest facilities are in Arizona, Colorado and Montana.
Based in Quincy, Massachusetts, Bay State Milling is a 125-year old, five-generation family business that provides traditional and gluten-free flours, seeds, grains, mixes and specialty blends. In 2024 and 2025, it was named a US Best Managed Company by Deloitte.
Bay State Milling’s customers include both major finished food companies and smaller regional brands. Levangie said the company will work closely with longtime clients to either shift their supply to other locations or help them find new partners.
Woodland, Levangie said, doesn’t fit into the company’s strategy anymore, and going forward, Bay State Milling will invest in its other manufacturing sites.
“We have deep respect and appreciation for our Woodland employees and the work they’ve done to support our mission,” said Levangie in a press release. “This decision enables us to align our operations with the evolving needs of the marketplace while maintaining a strong foundation for future growth.”