Canadian dairy co-operative Gay Lea Foods is to invest more than $200 million to help address the country’s cottage cheese shortage, DairyReporter reports. Canada has been experiencing spot shortages of cottage cheese driven primarily by viral social-media «protein-maxxing» trends, which have fuelled a surge in national demand.
Toronto facility expansion
The co-operative plans to «significantly expand» its Clayson Road dairy manufacturing facility in Toronto to increase production across its high-protein dairy portfolio and strengthen processing, introducing advanced processing technology and modern manufacturing capabilities.
The expansion, to be completed in 2028, will create up to 75 new positions and marks the first major milestone in Gay Lea Foods’ $450-million Network for Growth strategy — a multi-year investment to modernise its Canadian manufacturing network.
Rising demand for cottage cheese
Gay Lea Foods said cottage cheese had seen «incredible growth» as Canadians seek nutritious, affordable health and wellness options.
«This investment reflects our confidence in the future of Canadian dairy and in Gay Lea Foods’ role in helping shape it», said President and CEO Suzanna Dalrymple.
Board Chair Andrew Henderson added that expanding «a facility that transforms Canadian milk into a product sold exclusively to Canadian consumers is a natural extension of our co-operative’s legacy».
Gay Lea Foods is owned by around 1,200 dairy farmer members in Ontario and Manitoba, and reported reaching 224% of its greenhouse-gas reduction target this year, aiming for net-zero across specific categories by 2050.
Source: DairyReporter
