Seneca Foods Corporation, one of North America’s leading producers of packaged fruits and vegetables, is now hiring seasonal workers for its 2026 Harvest Season at its plant in Montgomery, Minnesota.
This is a direct job posting — positions are open now, and the hiring window moves fast in line with the crop calendar.
Seneca’s Montgomery facility is part of a massive production network sourcing from over 1,400 American farms and distributing premium products to more than 90 countries worldwide. Brands processed at this facility include household names like Libby’s® and Green Giant®. If you are a dependable worker looking for high-paying seasonal jobs USA, structured shifts, and the opportunity to build skills in food manufacturing — this is your opening.
Work Authorization: Seneca Foods complies with all federal employment eligibility requirements. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Consult USCIS.gov for information on work authorization. No immigration sponsorship details are specified for this posting.
Compensation & Shift Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hourly Pay | $14.39 – $15.45/hr (based on skills and experience) |
| Overtime Pay | All hours over 40/week paid at overtime rate |
| Shift Length | 12-hour shifts |
| Plant Operation | 24/7 during peak harvest windows |
| Pea Season | Mid-June through late July |
| Corn Season | Late July through mid-October |
At full-time hours plus overtime pay, workers during peak corn season (approximately 11 weeks) can realistically earn between $8,000–$12,000+ for the season before deductions. After federal income tax, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, and Minnesota state income tax, your actual take-home pay will vary based on your total hours and filing status. The IRS withholding estimator can help you project your net earnings ahead of the season.
Roles Available
Seneca provides on-the-job training, making these positions accessible to general laborers and entry-level workers with no prior food processing experience. Available positions span a range of skill levels:
Production & Logistics
- Line Workers — core production floor roles
- Forklift Operators — moving product and materials within the facility
- Truck Routers — coordinating inbound and outbound logistics
Technical & Quality Control
- Machine Operators — operating and monitoring processing equipment
- Crop Samplers — collecting and assessing raw product quality
- Raw Product Graders — evaluating incoming vegetables against brand standards
Sanitation & Field
- Sanitation Workers — maintaining facility cleanliness and food safety compliance
- Harvest Operators — operating farm equipment in the field (prior experience preferred but not required)
This breadth of roles makes Seneca’s harvest season an ideal entry point for workers seeking vocational training and practical experience in food manufacturing, equipment operation, or agricultural logistics.
Core Responsibilities
Production Support Fulfill assigned positions on the processing line, handling fresh peas and corn from raw intake through packaging. Line work during harvest is fast-paced and physically demanding — 12-hour shifts on your feet are standard during peak operations.
Quality Control & Grading Assist in grading raw products and sampling crops to ensure they meet Libby’s® and Green Giant® brand standards. Attention to detail and consistency are critical in these roles, as product quality is directly tied to Seneca’s reputation across 90+ export markets.
Plant Sanitation & GMP Compliance Perform regular sanitation procedures to prepare the facility for upcoming production runs. All workers are required to follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and maintain a clean, hazard-free workspace throughout every shift.
Safety Compliance Strict adherence to all OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations and company safety protocols is mandatory. Workers are expected to wear all required PPE and report hazards immediately. OSHA certifications in food safety and manufacturing environments are a plus for candidates seeking to advance. Seneca also carries workers’ compensation insurance as required under Minnesota state law, protecting all employees in the event of a workplace injury.
Candidate Requirements
- Work Ethic: Strong drive and ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced team environment throughout long 12-hour shifts
- Reliability: Consistent attendance is non-negotiable during the harvest windows — crop processing waits for no one
- Flexibility: Willingness to adapt to shift changes driven by weather conditions or crop availability; harvest is unpredictable by nature
- Detail-Oriented: High level of accuracy in production, grading, and sanitation tasks
- English Language Proficiency: Sufficient to follow safety instructions, GMP protocols, and communicate with supervisors. ESL classes and language resources are available across Minnesota for workers who need additional support
Workers arriving from abroad or with overseas qualifications in agriculture, equipment operation, or food production may wish to use credential evaluation services such as World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) to formalize their backgrounds for future U.S. employment applications.
Why Work Harvest Season in Minnesota?
Minnesota’s cost of living is moderate compared to coastal U.S. cities, and Montgomery — located in Le Sueur County — offers an affordable, community-oriented setting during the harvest months. For workers willing to put in the hours, seasonal harvest positions at industrial food processors like Seneca represent one of the most accessible pathways to jobs in USA for foreigners (with valid work authorization) and domestic job seekers alike — offering real earnings, transferable skills, and a track record with a major employer.
Employer-sponsored health insurance eligibility for seasonal workers varies by duration and hours — confirm details directly with Seneca HR during the application process. All employees benefit from liability insurance coverage for workplace activities and are protected under federal and state workplace safety law.
How to Apply
Act quickly — harvest hiring fills up fast.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Employer | Seneca Foods Corporation |
| Location | Montgomery, MN 56069 |
| Apply Via | Seneca Foods Career Portal |
| ADA Accommodations | [email protected] / 585-495-4100 |
Seneca Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations are available during the application and interview process for individuals with disabilities — contact the HR team at the details above.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, or financial advice. Visa regulations and salary ranges are subject to change. Always consult a licensed U.S. immigration attorney (USCIS-accredited representative) before making any immigration decisions.





