SUFFIELD, Conn. (AP) – HP Hood says it plans to lay off 80 workers at its ice cream plant in Suffield by November.

The dairy products firm cited stiff competition in New England that has cut demand for novelty products such as Popsicles and ice cream sandwiches.

The layoffs will cut the plant’s work force in half.

Massachusetts-based Hood will continue to produce ice cream for retail and bulk sales in Suffield. But spokeswoman Lynne Bohan says the company will outsource the production of novelties to the New York plant of a third-party packager.

AP-ES-09-06-07 1621EDT

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