West Hazleton, Pennsylvania – Bimbo Bakeries USA has announced it is temporarily reopening its Stroehmann Brothers baking plant in West Hazleton to accommodate for increased demand for bread caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the company, the plant will open until at least Labor Day.

“In response to COVID-19 and increased product demand across the Northeast market, Bimbo Bakeries will temporarily reopen our Hazleton Bread Bakery. This temporary reopening will enable us to better feed our communities by adding a fully operational bakery during this critical time. We’ve hired former Bimbo Bakeries USA associates to staff the bakery and are scheduled to start production on Friday, April 10, 2020,” stated the company.

The plant was closed in September 2019, and at the time, employed 157 individuals. Bimbo Bakeries said at the time that it would be more efficient for the company to redistribute production to other bakeries in its system to better meet demand.