What is Tillamook?
Tillamook is not just any dairy brand—it’s an extraordinary cooperative rooted deep in Oregon’s rich farming traditions. Born from the passion of dairy farmers, this brand goes beyond making dairy; it crafts experiences that celebrate the very essence of quality and care. From their iconic cheeses to their commitment to community, Tillamook stands as a symbol of dedication and excellence in the food products industry.
Main Benefits of Tillamook’s Dairy Excellence
When it comes to dairy, Tillamook truly delivers. Here’s a quick scoop on what makes them stand out:
- B Corp score: an impressive 94.1, reflecting strong social and environmental performance.
- Over 200 dairy products crafted with care and expertise.
- Winner of gold at the 126th International Cheese and Dairy Award Show, the world’s largest cheese competition.
- Best Cheddar in the World at the 2024 World Cheese Awards, beating 4,785 cheeses from 47 countries.
- Home to the longest-aged cheddar featuring the Morning Star ship—a nod to their heritage and commitment.
The Heart of a Cooperative
At its core, Tillamook is a cooperative built on people who show up for each other every single day. This isn’t just a business; it’s a community where dairy farmers own the process, ensuring every product is made with extra care. Their employee appreciation events, like the one in Boardman, OR, highlight the laughter, pride, and hot takes that make Tillamook unique. It’s a place where co-op pride runs deep and fuels extraordinary results.
Celebrating Dairy, Celebrating Flavor
This fall, Tillamook invites everyone to celebrate dairy in a way that’s truly special. Some call it a dairy-lover’s dream, but it’s really the Tillamook Creamery experience. Whether it’s layering on flavor with their bold cheeses or unlocking the melty secrets of grilled cheese sandwiches, Tillamook makes every sando whole. Their exclusive pairing guides help fans mix and match products like pros, turning everyday meals into extraordinary bites.
Commitment to Sustainability and Stewardship
Tillamook’s dedication goes beyond taste. Being owned by dairy farmers means high expectations—not just for flavor but for responsibility. They’re committed to being good stewards of cows and farms, people and products, and the communities and environment they serve. This holistic approach ensures that every bite supports sustainable practices and a healthier planet.
Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Supporting sustainable agriculture and food security.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Promoting sustainable dairy farming and production.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Commitment to environmental stewardship and reducing carbon footprint.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Empowering dairy farmers and cooperative members.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – Protecting ecosystems through sustainable farm management.
The Story Behind the Little Boat
Ever wonder about the little boat on every Tillamook product? That’s the Morning Star ship, a symbol of their long-standing commitment to dairy and the incredible beginnings of the brand. It’s more than just a logo—it’s a story of heritage, dedication, and the journey toward extraordinary dairy. This emblem reminds customers that with Tillamook, they’re getting products made with heart, history, and a whole lot of flavor.
What Tillamook actually does
Tillamook County Creamery Association is a farmer-owned dairy cooperative founded in 1909, based in Tillamook, Oregon, producing cheese, ice cream, and butter. The company is B Corp certified, and every supplying farm pledges not to use artificial growth hormones.
“Tillamook represents generations handed down, and we want it to be around forever. That’s why we’ll continue to put in the hard work, be good stewards and sustain our resources.”
Shannon Lourenzo, Farmer-Owner and TCCA Board Member
Where the cooperative structure shows up
- Farmer governance: 12 farmers elected annually to the board, representing all co-op members
- Animal welfare: practices including waterbeds and backscratchers for dairy cows
- No artificial hormones: a pledge held by every farm supplying the cooperative
Why this belongs on a sustainability directory
Being farmer-owned since 1909 means Tillamook’s governance structure itself supports SDG2 (zero hunger) by keeping decision-making and profit in the hands of the dairy farmers actually producing the milk, not a separate corporate ownership layer. Its sitewide no-artificial-growth-hormone pledge, applying to every supplying farm rather than a premium product line, gives SDG12 (responsible consumption and production) a baseline commitment across the entire cooperative, not just a marketed subset.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Tillamook based, and who uses it?
Tillamook County Creamery Association is based in Tillamook, Oregon, founded in 1909 as a farmer-owned cooperative. It sells B2C, distributing dairy products including cheese, ice cream, and butter nationally.
Which SDGs does Tillamook support, and how?
Tillamook supports SDG2 (Zero Hunger) through its farmer-owned cooperative structure, governed by 12 elected farmer board members, and SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through a sitewide pledge against artificial growth hormones across every supplying farm.
How is Tillamook verified as a sustainability project?
Tillamook is a Certified B Corporation, and its cooperative structure is governed by farmer-owners, including board members like Shannon Lourenzo, who represent the interests of the farms supplying the co-op.
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