"This decision is influenced by several factors, including the facility's age, anticipated capital requirements to make improvements to the facility and add or replace equipment and systems, high operating costs in California, the long-term milk supply outlook, and the increased capacity due to the opening of our Lubbock, Texas facility,"
"This choice in no way reflects the hard work of our approximately 300 Lemoore East employees, who contribute to Leprino's success every day,"
"... Our dedication to serving customers and honoring our commitments remains unwavering. This change will not affect the quality, service or reliability our customers expect of us and our products."
Leprino Foods will close its Lemoore East plant at 490 F St. in Lemoore in early 2026, resulting in the loss of over 300 jobs. Factors cited for the closure include the facility's age, anticipated capital requirements for upgrades, high operating costs in California, long-term milk supply outlook, and increased capacity from a new Lubbock, Texas facility. The Lubbock plant opened in January and processes over 500,000 gallons of milk per day into mozzarella, sweet whey, and sweet cream. Leprino manufactures more than 1 billion pounds of cheese annually. The East Plant operated in Lemoore since 1910; Leprino acquired it in the 1980s. The West Plant in Lemoore is expected to remain open. WARN notices were filed in October and December related to the layoffs.
Read at SFGATE
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]