Green Giant in Belvidere Sold, 160 Jobs to be cut [Video]

Very soon, the Green Giant building at General Mills in Belvidere will be empty as 160 employees will be out of work.WIFR-TV reports that workers received the news Thursday as they arrived for work.

B&G Foods, based out of new Jersey, is the new owner of Green Giant. They reportedly paid $765 million for the vegetable division of General Mills.This will affect roughly 20% of those employed by General Foods

The job loss won't be immediate as the workers will be transitioned out over a period of two years.

In a telephone interview with WIFR-TV, B&G's Foods President called the sale "a giant leap forward for its company".

The loss comes a shock to the Belvidere and Boone County community as Green Giant has in the community for nearly a century.

The sale is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.