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H-E-B food supplier shuts down Texas facility, 166 workers lose jobs. A high-tech food production facility in Texas has abruptly shut down, leaving more than 160 workers without jobs. The closure comes after a potential deal that could have kept the operation running unexpectedly fell through. 80 Acres Farms is permanently shutting down its vertical farming operation in San Antonio, Texas, resulting in the loss of 166 jobs, according to a filing with the Texas Workforce Commission. The layoffs began August 3 and are expected to be completed by August 17. My latest videos. Video Muted Acquisition falls through. The San Antonio facility, located at Brooks on the city's Southeast Side, was launched in 2024 by Soli Organic in a 140,000-square-foot industrial building. The facility used stacked growing systems, robotics, and artificial lighting to produce herbs and leafy greens indoors. Soli Organic merged with 80 Acres Farms in 2025, bringing the San Antonio operation under 80 Acres Farms. The company's shutdown followed the collapse of negotiations with a prospective buyer. According to a WARN notice from 80 Acres Farms, the buyer unexpectedly withdrew from the transaction on August 2. Without the expected proceeds from the acquisition and with no other funding available to keep the company operating, 80 Acres Farms said it was forced to begin winding down its business. 166 San Antonio jobs eliminated. The affected San Antonio workers include 58 packers, 16 machine operators, and 12 assembly technicians, among other positions. The closure is part of a broader shutdown of 80 Acres Farms' operations across the country. The company had positioned its indoor farming technology as a way to grow fresh produce year-round in controlled environments. The San Antonio facility supplied products including microgreens and salads to retailers, including Texas grocery chain H-E-B. The sudden closure represents another setback for the emerging vertical farming industry, which has faced significant financial challenges despite years of investment and interest in technology-driven food production. For the 166 San Antonio employees affected, the shutdown means the loss of jobs at a facility that had only been operating for about two years. Links on this page may be affiliate links, for which the site earns a small commission, but the price for you is the same Coconut flour ebook. Learn the basics of baking grain free with my free ebook! The Coconut Mama won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Safeway closes more stores in 2026 as Albertsons downsizes. Published on 11 August 2026 at 3:58 pm - Written by Chris Martin - Reading duration: 3 minutes Safeway is closing more stores in 2026, continuing a downsizing wave under parent company Albertsons that claimed dozens of locations last year. Safeway operates just over 900 locations nationwide, primarily concentrated in the western U.S., with a small presence in Maryland and Virginia, and the latest closures reflect the grocer's effort to streamline its footprint following the collapse of its proposed merger with Kroger. Most of the Safeway closures stem from expiring leases rather than a broader market retreat. In Washington, D.C., Safeway permanently closed its Hechinger Mall location after nearly 40 years on May 16, 2026. "We are coming to the end of our lease at this location, and have made the decision to reinvest our resources into other existing stores," the company said in a statement. The store closures follow Albertsons' failed $24.6 billion merger with Kroger, which federal judges blocked in December 2024 on antitrust grounds. After the deal collapsed, Albertsons shifted away from expansion and began streamlining its existing footprint. In 2025, Albertsons closed at least 30 stores across its various banners, including locations under the Carrs, Albertsons, and United Supermarkets names, and that pace has continued into 2026. Albertsons reported broader operational challenges in its first quarter of fiscal 2026. Identical sales - a key retail metric that strips out newly opened and closed stores - fell 0.8% in the 16 weeks ended June 20, according to the company's July 23 earnings report. Net income dropped to $84.7 million, or 17 cents per share, compared with $236.4 million, or 41 cents per share, in the same period a year ago. Restructuring to address slowing sales. In response to the sales decline and mounting competitive pressure, CEO Susan Morris announced a sweeping restructuring initiative called ACI Edge on July 23. The plan consolidates Albertsons' 11 divisions into four regions and centralizes center-store merchandising under a single enterprise team. "These actions are designed to deliver sharper value, greater differentiation in fresh, and an elevated customer experience across our stores and markets," Morris said. The restructuring also prompted Albertsons to cut its full-year financial outlook. The company now expects identical sales to range from negative 1.5% to negative 0.5%, compared with its previous guidance of flat to up 1%. Adjusted EBITDA guidance was cut to $3.55 billion to $3.625 billion from a prior range of $3.85 billion to $3.925 billion. Morris cited pressure from value-conscious consumers as a key challenge. "The biggest challenge for Albertsons is its lower-income shoppers, those shoppers are buying fewer items, more generic brands," she noted in a July 23 earnings discussion. The company also faces intensifying competition from Costco, Walmart, and regional chains like H-E-B, which have eroded Albertsons' market share in recent years. Albertsons owns more than 20 different grocery banners across 35 states, including Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, and ACME. The company said it is "opening new stores in areas with strong demand and long-term opportunity, while also making the difficult decision to close some locations," and that it works "to place as many associates as possible in other stores." However, the full scope of which chains and specific stores will be most affected remains unclear as the footprint review continues. Sources. * Inc. - Safeway store closures continuing through 2026 under Albertsons downsizing, with Hechinger Mall D.C. location closing after 40 years * Idaho Business Review - Albertsons Q1 2026 identical sales decline, ACI Edge restructuring plan consolidating 11 divisions into 4 regions, lowered full-year guidance * NPR - Albertsons and Kroger merger blocked by federal judges in December 2024, Albertsons filed lawsuit against Kroger Give your feedback. Chris Martin is a US economics and current affairs journalist covering the intersection of policy, markets, and everyday financial life. With a background in financial reporting and a sharp eye for the stories behind the numbers, Chris brings clarity to some of the most complex issues shaping the American economy today. At ECIKS.org, Chris covers breaking developments across domestic economic policy, business strategy, Wall Street movements, and political decisions that ripple through financial markets. His reporting blends rigorous data analysis with accessible storytelling making critical information useful for investors, entrepreneurs, and engaged citizens alike. ECIKS.org is an independent media. Support ECIKS by adding ECIKS to your Google News favorites:

Katy times, August, 6, 2026. H-E-B Partners with Communities In Schools to provide school supplies to students across state Campaign runs July 29 - August 25, 2026, to raise funds for students this back-to-school season. Posted Thursday, August 6, 2026 12:01 am CONTRIBUTED REPORT As a new school year approaches, Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS) is partnering with H-E-B to ensure every student has the school supplies they need to show up and be prepared to learn this fall. From July 29 through August 25, customers shopping online or in-store at H-E-B locations across Texas can donate any amount, which will directly benefit CIS of Houston, supporting K-12 students in surrounding districts and schools. CIS partners with Royal ISD. "We are proud to collaborate once again on our back-to-school drive with H-E-B, which has been a generous partner to CIS of Houston for many years," says Lisa Descant, CEO of Communities In Schools of Houston. "It's important for students to start the school year on the right foot with all the needed supplies. With our own fundraising drive and the boost from H-E-B's point-of-sale donations, CIS students, generally from underserved communities, can be assured they won't be lacking when school begins." "CIS of Texas is thrilled to partner again with H-E-B to provide every student with a strong start back to school," said Sharon Vigil, Chief Executive Officer for Communities In Schools of Central Texas and current Board President for CIS of Texas. "Continued support from long-time supporters like H-E-B creates a huge impact for the students served by Communities In Schools in Texas. Before students can be ready to learn, they need to be resourced, and school supplies play a big part in helping them feel engaged and prepared for school." Customers shopping online or in store between July 29 and August 27 at H-E-B locations in the Greater Houston Area can donate any amount to ensure all students are ready for a great school year, regardless of their economic situation. Funds will go to Communities In Schools of Houston, which served students in 147 schools in six school districts, charter schools and a college system during the 2025-2026 school year. Across Texas, CIS served over 122,000 students through one-on-one case-managed services and impacted the lives of nearly 900,000 students in the 2024-2025 school year at over 1,400 campuses. There are currently 27 CIS organizations in Texas surrounding students with a community of support to ensure they stay in school and achieve in life. Other items that may interest you