Producing food products in the USA is no longer the straightforward task it once was. Increasingly, companies are relocating overseas in pursuit of lower production and labor costs, often sourcing ingredients abroad as well. A notable example is Nabisco® Inc., a subsidiary of Mondelez International and the creator of the beloved Oreo®—America’s favorite cookie. In 2021, Nabisco announced the closure of several U.S. plants, shifting Oreo production to Mexico. The company cited strategic reasons, stating, “Both Fair Lawn and Atlanta are no longer strategic assets from a geographic footprint perspective and face significant operational challenges, including aging infrastructure and outdated production capabilities, which would require substantial investment to modernize.”
This move sparked backlash, with an Oreo boycott emerging in the USA as early as 2014, driven by loyal customers dismayed to learn their iconic treat was being made overseas. In August 2015, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump voiced his support for the boycott, expressing frustration that Mondelez, an “American company,” had made such a decision and vowing never to eat another Oreo. Other major corporations, including Target Corporation, have followed suit, outsourcing cookie production to Mexico instead of partnering with U.S.-based manufacturers like Lady Fortunes Inc. of Los Angeles, CA.“My company struggles to compete with firms producing in countries like China and Mexico,” says Daria Artem, Founder and CEO of Lady Fortunes Inc. “The costs quoted to secure contracts with retailers like Target are simply unfeasible when factoring in U.S. production expenses.” Since 2004, Artem’s company has crafted hand-decorated cookies from its Los Angeles facility, yet she estimates losing at least six figures annually due to major companies favoring overseas production. This shift often involves cheap, unregulated labor, where workers lack the rights and protections afforded to American employees.
Choosing U.S.-based manufacturers like Lady Fortunes Inc. offers significant advantages, including job creation for American workers and tax contributions that bolster the national economy. By supporting American-made products, consumers help strengthen domestic operations and generate revenue that benefits the country as a whole. Despite tempting opportunities to relocate across the border, Lady Fortunes Inc. remains rooted in the Canoga Park suburb of Los Angeles. “I could move the factory to Mexico and avoid taxes, payroll, and insurance costs,” Artem reflects, “but then I couldn’t take pride in living my version of the American Dream—or give others the chance to pursue theirs.”
In Artem’s words, “American-made products should not only be promoted but cherished.” Discover a range of proudly crafted American cookies and confections at www.LadyFortunes.com.
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