employment security department labor market & economic analysis branch food processing introduction it is one of washington s first manufacturing industries ever since 1866 when a small salmon cannery was built in eagle cliff has been mainstays today over 880 plants from the seafood processor anacortes to boutique vintner college place fruit growers cooperative yakima valley bakery seattle meat packer pasco frozen french fried potato othello employ 40 000 workers making state second largest industry after transportation equipment figure 1 1947 1998 source although generally added employees late 1940s this sector exhibits cyclical behavior adding during expansions while shedding slumps vacillations are not as pronounced other sectors last few years however have signaled change economy and expanded with new hires languished some closures reduction
