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Land O’Lakes to idle Tulare cheese plant

Land O’Lakes is going to close-down cheese manufacturing at its dairy plant in Tulare, California. The cooperative says declining milk volumes and the recent investment in butter-making facilities at the plant prompted the decision to shift milk to the butter plant later this year. Approximately 80 employees will be affected by the change.

Jerry Kaminski, Land O’Lakes Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Dairy Foods Industrial, said: “Idling the Tulare cheese facility was a difficult decision that was driven by a variety of factors. We recognize that the plant’s idling will impact employees and the Tulare community, and we are working to ease the transition as much as possible.”

Land O’Lakes is offering affected employees access to its Employee Assistance Program, which offers counseling and other referrals. The company will be working with the Teamsters Union regarding the transition.