Our story began in 1958, when a group of Ontario farmers came together with a shared belief: that by working collectively, they could create a brighter future for their farms, their families, and their communities. Today, Gay Lea Foods is a leading Canadian dairy co-operative – as renowned for our balanced commitment to people, profit, and planet, as we are for producing high-quality, nutritious Canadian dairy products.
From the beginning, Gay Lea Foods has been about more than just dairy products. Our purpose – to enrich life with dairy – is rooted in the essential role dairy plays in everyday life and in the responsibility, we carry as a co‑operative.
For our members, that means providing fair, stable, and generational opportunity as part of a strong and resilient Canadian dairy sector. For our employees, it means purposeful work, opportunities to learn and grow, and the chance to contribute to the success of a strong, Canadian farmer-owned business. For consumers, it means nutritious, high-quality dairy products that support health, nourishment, and moments of shared joy around the table. And for our communities, it means living up to our sustainability commitments and giving back to create a stronger tomorrow for all.
Today, Gay Lea Foods represents members on more than 1,200 dairy farms across Ontario and Manitoba and nourishes Canadians across the country through award-winning brands including Gay Lea, Nordica, Salerno, Bothwell Cheese, and more. And while we’ve grown and evolved, our fundamental purpose has never wavered – across our farms, facilities, distribution networks, and workplaces, we believe that when we succeed, our industry, our people, and our communities should succeed along with us. That purpose shapes how we operate and how we show up – every day. And it’s why we continue to enrich life with dairy, today and for generations to come.
Since 1958, our dedication to innovation and the development of high quality products has allowed us to respond to consumers’ evolving tastes and grow the market for Canadian milk and dairy products, while multiple Canadian acquisitions have expanded our product family and further enhanced our reputation for fresh, quality products consumers can trust.
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President & CEO
Chair
Vice Chair
Executive Member
