US Foods operates a 150,000-sq.-ft. distribution center, according to the Lakeland Economic Development Council. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification indicates 206 employees will be affected by the layoffs. A memo obtained by the
Lakeland Ledgercited significant business losses as reason for the closure.
The announcement comes as US Foods and Houston-based Sysco Corp. fight a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit aimed at blocking the companies' merger. Executives from both companies testified during court proceedings on May 11. The federal court proceedings were extended; closing arguments are scheduled for May 28.