Lincoln, Montana-based Hi-Country Snack Foods Halts Operations Owing Thousands to Suppliers

Hi-Country Snack Foods owes tens of thousands to suppliers and former employees as operations remain paused.

The Lincoln, Montana-based company laid off most staff without pay and has since stopped responding to suppliers, raising concerns among stakeholders about its financial stability and accountability. This situation may highlight potential vulnerabilities in local food manufacturing and supplier relations.

Hi-Country owes $84,000 to Cowboy Meat Company for 12,000 pounds of product delivered last July, and it holds a $400,000 loan from the Montana Department of Commerce dating back to 2019. Former employees report unreturned calls and unpaid benefits, with the last known production pause occurring in April 2026. Legal actions are underway from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and Citizens Alliance Bank in Lewis and Clark County Court. Attempts by MTN News to reach the company have been unsuccessful, and the business has remained largely unresponsive since April 2026, with its last social media post dating back to July 2025.

MTN News will continue monitoring developments and provide updates as they become available.

Montana’s dispersed population and reliance on small manufacturing hubs may amplify the impact of such business failures. Local suppliers and employees in similar communities might face heightened risks from sudden operational halts and unaddressed debts, underscoring the need for stronger oversight and financial safeguards in regional industries.

‘Nobody there’ | Suppliers and former employees say Hi-Country owes thousands
By Madelyn Heath, KXLH News Helena