It's the last day of a 75 year long historic chapter for workers in Freehold.

They're handing in their badges and shutting down production at the landmark Nestlé plant.

The factory was the only remaining location producing coffee in the US, but the Swiss brand announced in June it's moving production facilities to Mexico and Brazil, leaving 227 workers out of a job.

And the Monmouth County town without the iconic smell of coffee wafting through the air.

Ted Goldberg has the story.

This is a very sad day.

People have been filtering in and out, getting their final packages and getting their their paperwork in order.

And we've been saying goodbye to everybody and and sharing stories about all the experiences they had.

For most employees at the Nestlé plant in Freehold.

Today was their final shift.

Nestlé announced this plant would close down.

So now workers are retiring or looking for new jobs, something many of them haven't done in a long time.

I started here in 1978, puts me at 45 years, 12.

Hours a day, seven days a week sometimes, you know.

So still it's a lot to log into.

I raised my family, you know, and then 45 years is my life, you know.

The Nestlé plant was an institution in Freehold, a place where some family sent multiple generations to make instant coffee.

My father started here in 1972.

He retired after 25 years.

And then I came here in 78, along with two uncles that came here and but also for 25 years.

We started making Nescafé coffee after the war, so it became really a necessity for freeholder.

Employees I spoke to were in shock to hear the plant was closing down and they suspected it for a while.

They say they're upset at Nestlé for not communicating with them clearly.

There was no representation from corporate.

Came down here to give people some information.

It was all filtered down.

It was rumors, conjectures.

In response to the story, Nestlé sent a statement that reads in part, We're honored to have been part of the free whole community for the past 75 years.

We've worked collaboratively with government and Teamsters Local 11 to host job fairs, resume and interview workshops and offer professional headshots.

That wasn't nearly enough for some local leaders.

Freehold Council woman Sharon Shutzer says she was saddened and sickened by the closing.

I am angered by the way the company handled the closing.

I think it was profoundly unfair to the town, but more importantly to the employees.

The impact to the town and to the employees is immeasurable and devastating.

You think that they would have someone to represent representative of the company to come down here and speak to people?

But we haven't seen anyone come down here, especially today, on a day like this where it's a final day, you don't see anyone taking people for the service or saying that, you know, they appreciate all the things they've.

Done.

It's a shame they're going to Mexico.

You know, it's just yeah, politicians got to do more with this.

A bittersweet goodbye for many employees.

While some are sticking around until the plant officially closes for good in late March.

In Freehold, I'm Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.