A study by WorkSource Oregon, a statewide network of public and private partners connecting businesses and workers that aims to stimulate job growth by sharing available resources, finds that the Oregon’s food manufacturing industry continues to sustain itself during the current economic downturn despite across the board declines experienced by the manufacturing industry.
According to information published on WorkSourceOregon.org, food manufacturers managed to increase the number of available jobs in the industry, up .4 percent to 23,200 jobs throughout Oregon during the last year. Meanwhile, employment levels for the manufacturing industry are down about four percent overall during the same period.
Since 1958, Oregon’s food manufacturing sector has employed no less than 20,000 workers and no more than 26,000. In 2007, food manufacturers employed 22,500 people, which equals 1.3 percent of Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll.
