Hunter: Fort Morgan ribbon cutting celebrates purpose and partnership at Leprino’s only string cheese facility

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, RMV NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice

There’s something deeply satisfying about a slice of pizza. Maybe it’s the gooey mozzarella that stretches with every bite or the quiet delight of knowing where that cheese comes from, especially when it’s right in your backyard.

Recently, I had the opportunity to join Leprino Foods in Fort Morgan, Colorado, for their Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce Red Ribbon Ceremony. The event wasn’t just a formal ribbon-cutting—it was a bold step forward in deepening community connections, fueled by purpose, people, and plenty of cheese.

The afternoon began with a warm welcome led by Conor Kokes, Continuous Improvement Specialist and the driving force behind Leprino’s Community Impact Team. Conor kicked things off with an energetic and heartfelt presentation about the company’s mission, vision, and values. 

And let me tell you, he had us at mozzarella. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

“We are Leprino Foods,” Conor began. “One of the world’s largest mozzarella producers. But here’s the kicker: Fort Morgan is Leprino’s only string cheese facility. That means if you’re biting into a Stuffed Crust pizza, it likely came from Fort Morgan. “Even when I lived in New York City,” Conor laughed, “The pizza place I ordered from was likely using cheese from here. That blew my mind!”

It’s no small operation. Leprino has ten facilities across the globe—primarily in the U.S., but also in Europe and Brazil, and a hub in Singapore.

But Leprino’s impact goes far beyond cheese. Through innovative processes, they extract lactose from whey and repurpose it for use in baby formula, nourishing children worldwide. Even their biowaste is turned into fertilizer to support farmers. As Conor proudly shared, “We use every part of the milk. Nothing goes to waste.”

After the presentation, company leaders, employees, and Chamber of Commerce members gathered outside for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting. With Plant Manager Erick B. Murray leading the way, the moment marked more than just a new chapter—it declared a renewed commitment to community. “We are excited to continue partnering with communities in this area and to be a visible and engaged part of them,” Erick shared. “Our goal is to remain a partner for the benefit of the people.”

Following the ceremony, a tour of the impressive facility was provided, covering the Vat Room, Mixer Room, Packaging area, Warehouse, and Nutrition Hub. Each stop showcased operations that are both efficient and caring, with strong stewardship of their processes.  

My main insight? Leprino Foods not only provides excellent products but also genuinely cares about people. That’s a rare and refreshing trait today. Erick openly mentioned that a few years back, the company reviewed its community engagement approach and decided to “tighten things up’ to build stronger, more meaningful relationships. This deliberate reset is now paying off—or should I say, grating cheese?

Perhaps most touching was the shared memory of company founder Jim Leprino, who passed away on June 19, 2025. His legacy—built on vision, values, and a heart for service—continues to guide the company’s direction. This event felt like a candle being lit in his honor: not just remembering the past, but illuminating a new path forward.

In Fort Morgan, Leprino is more than a factory. It’s a neighbor, a contributor, and now more than ever—a committed community partner.

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.