U.S. food manufacturing reached a record high of 1.77 million workers in 2025; however, the industry now represents a smaller share of the nation’s workforce compared to previous decades. Despite this long-term decline in employment concentration, food manufacturing remains one of America’s largest sectors, providing essential grocery items that households depend on daily. In Picayune, Mississippi, 44 food manufacturing employees and 6 food manufacturing establishments have been affected. The Picayune metro ranks 225 among extra small U.S. metros for food manufacturing employment concentration—with 1.9 food manufacturing workers per 1,000 total Picayune metro employees. The higher the concentration of food manufacturing workers, the larger the role the industry plays in the local economy.