The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) recently hosted a grand opening for its plant in Remus, the former site of Leprino Foods.

The site operated from the early 1980s until May 2025, when Leprino ceased operations following a series of layoffs and production reductions.

The MMPA originally purchased the facility in 1983 and converted it into a cheese plant. In 1987, Leprino began operating it in partnership with the MMPA until purchasing it outright in 2006.

At last Tuesday’s ceremony on June 16, the MMPA announced a partnership with Good Culture to produce cottage cheese at the facility.

“This grand opening is an exciting moment for our cooperative and our member-owners,” said Joe Diglio, MMPA president and CEO. “With the launch of our Remus facility and our partnership with Good Culture, we are expanding our capabilities in a growing dairy category while continuing to invest in the future of dairy. This project reflects our commitment to innovation, strategic growth and delivering greater value for the farm families who own this cooperative.”

The MMPA website states that the plant will process more than 500,000 pounds of milk daily.

“I’m truly excited to see this great day for Remus, a great day for Michigan, and I’m honored to be part of the celebration as a legislator,” said U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar. “It’s important for Michigan because we’re one of the top six dairy-producing states, and it’s fantastic what’s happening here.”

State Rep. Tom Kunse and Mecosta County Commissioner Chris Zimmerman also attended the ceremony.

The MMPA, which was founded in 1916, is headquartered in Novi. It operates dairy product plants in Michigan — including the Remus facility for cottage cheese — as well as in Canton, Ohio (fluid milk and ice cream) and Middlebury, Indiana (barrel and deli-horn cheeses). The cooperative also has supply and ingredient stores in Mt. Pleasant, Ovid and Constantine.

For more information, visit mimilk.com.

_{Release information courtesy of MMPA.}