Dole Food Co. Inc. is continuing to cut back its berry operations as it prepares to go public.

The Westlake Village company last week announced another mass layoff, telling the state’s Employment Development Department that it would cut more than 400 jobs at its Northern California strawberry harvesting and cooling operations in Watsonville. Portions of the business will close starting Oct. 28.

Dole also recently announced layoffs and the closing of preharvest and cooling operations at its Oxnard plant.

The grower of fresh fruit and vegetables applied in April to go public for a third time, and the company has been liquidating assets to help reduce its massive $1.3 billion of debt.

In another move, Dole is considering trading its nonincome-generating headquarters for the income-generating Dole Plantation in Hawaii, the site of a popular tourist business and owned by Dole Food’s director and owner, David Murdock, under his more diverse business, Castle & Cooke Inc.

The company has said it plans to remain in Westlake Village.

Dole also is exploring a private sale in lieu of the public offering, The Wall Street Journal recently reported, citing unnamed sources.

– Carol Lawrence