HOUSING PROJECTS ELIMINATE WV APPLE ORCHARDS - Applesauce Company Closing Doors

(08/09/2008)
Knouse Foods Cooperative Inc. is closing its applesauce plant in Berkeley County because of a lack of apples.

A 2004 state survey showed that Berkeley County lost nearly 70,000 apple trees from 1994 to 2004 to development projects, including housing and businesses.

Knouse says the plant will close November 14. The cooperative plans to maintain its warehousing, storage and distribution business at Inwood.

President and Chief Executive Officer Ken Guise says the area's orchards have been replaced mostly by housing developments, and the cooperative needs to be where its growers are.

About 90 jobs are being eliminated.