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As It Happens

The Kellogg's worker who left message in last Cdn-made Frosted Flakes box

Former Kellogg's worker Mike Cascadden says he was inspired to write on the cereal during his final, tearful shift when he realized another one would never go down the line again.
CBC Radio ·
Discarded work boots rest in front of the Kellogg's Canada sign at the Kellogg's plant in London, Ont., on Monday, Dec. 22, 2014. The staff gathered one last time for a lunch on the final day of work, as the plant closes after a 107 year history of producing cereal. THE CANADIAN PRESS//Dave Chidley (The Canadian Press)
As It Happens6:15Update: Meet the Kellogg's worker who wrote on the last Canadian bag of Frosted Flakes

Last night, we told you about a dad in Timmins, Ontario who found a hand-written message in his Frosted Flakes cereal box. The note, he discovered, was written by three Kellogg's employees in London, Ontario on their last shift before the plant closed.

The idea came to worker Mike Cascadden when it dawned on him that he'd never see another bag of cereal go out the factory doors. He was touched to learn it was found by a family who appreciated its significance.

"I couldn't believe it," Cascadden tells As It Happens host Carol Off. He was working the night shift at his new job when he heard the news. "I couldn't sleep for the rest of the day. It was a whirlwind day of emotions . . . to put a face on who actually opened it up and see how it affected them. It was happy and sad at the same time."

Three workers at the Kellogg's factory in London, Ontario, Mike Cascadden, Ray Gonsalvez and Frasier McAuley, wrote a message on the plant's last bag of cereal, along with their years of service. (Stephane Gaudette)

He says it is disheartening that manufacturing is leaving Ontario. He's now working in a management job at an auto plant. Many of his former co-workers aren't as lucky. They're struggling to find work. But Cascadden has no ill will towards Kellogg's.

"I have 184 years of service between myself, my grandfather, my dad, my aunt, my cousin, my brother. That company is in my DNA," Cascadden says. "They make a great product."

He says the last shift was emotional.

"I was a young man when I started there. I'm 47 now," he says. "I was taking under the wing of some pretty incredible guys. I want to see them again, but the reality is there's 500 people there that I worked with and probably 99 percent of them, I won't see again, so it's emotional. I grew up with these guys."

The Gaudette Family with the last Canadian-made box of Kellogg's cereal. From left to right: Maxime, Lyanne, Jacynthe and Stephane. (Stephane Gaudette)

He plans to meet Mr. Gaudette over the phone tonight and hopes they can create a friendship.

"He's a family man. I'm a family man. And we can just sit back and tell this story to our grandchildren."

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