Kamil Perry
Tillamook cheese is a nationally-known brand of cheese and dairy products manufactured and sold by the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA), a farmer-owned dairy cooperative headquartered in Tillamook County, Oregon. The TCCA was founded in 1909 and has since become the 44th largest dairy processor in North America, posting $1 billion in sales in 2021. The cooperative includes nearly 60 dairy farms, mostly within Tillamook County, and markets a variety of processed dairy products, including cheese, ice cream, butter, sour cream, and yogurt. The Tillamook Cheese Factory, located in Tillamook, Oregon, is the TCCA's original cheese production facility and produces more than 170,000 pounds of cheese daily. Visitors to the factory can learn about the cheesemaking process and view the production floor from a gallery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Tillamook, Oregon |
| Manufacturer | Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) |
| Type of Manufacturer | Farmer-owned dairy cooperative |
| Number of Employees | Nearly 900 |
| Number of Dairy Farms | 60 |
| Products | Cheese, ice cream, butter, sour cream, yogurt, etc. |
| Cheese Production | More than 170,000 pounds of cheese daily |
| Cheese Packaging | Approximately one million pounds on-site each week |
| Ice Cream Manufacturing Plant | Decatur, Illinois |
| Ice Cream Manufacturing Plant Opening Date | Late 2024 |
| Cheese Factories | Tillamook and Boardman, Oregon |
| Cheese Production (Boardman Facility) | Up to 170 million pounds of cheese per year |
| Milk Source (Boardman Facility) | Threemile Canyon Farms |
| Recipe Standardization | Consistent across all manufacturing |
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What You'll Learn
History of Tillamook cheese
The story of Tillamook cheese began in the mid-19th century when Euro-Americans settled near what is now Tillamook Bay in Oregon. The Tillamook Valley was ideal for dairy farming, but the problem of transporting milk and butter over the surrounding mountains remained. In 1854, local farmers built a schooner, the Morning Star, to transport butter to Portland, Oregon. The Morning Star is now featured in the co-op's logo and a replica is on display at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.
In the 1890s, cheese began to be produced in Tillamook. In 1893, Portland entrepreneurs Thaddeus "T.S." Townsend and Harry Ogden started a cheese factory in the town. Townsend brought dozens of cattle over the Coast Range to Tillamook to supply the milk needed for his factory. He hired Peter Duncan McIntosh, a head cheesemaker at a plant in Woodland, Washington, to lead the new factory. McIntosh provided Tillamook dairy farmers with a recipe for cheddar cheese and eventually owned several cheese factories in the area.
In 1909, several of the region's cheesemakers formed the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA), a farmer-owned cooperative that markets products on behalf of its independent member-producers. Under the supervision of Carl Haberlach and Fred Christensen, the TCCA developed a collective standard of quality and consistency. In 1946, the cooperative began producing rindless cheese, and bottled milk the following year.
After World War II, the four largest independent cheese plants in the Tillamook area—Holstein, Tillamook, Mapleleaf, and Cloverleaf—merged to form the Tillamook Cheese and Dairy Association (TCDA). The TCDA built a state-of-the-art cheesemaking plant, which opened in 1949 and became a popular stop for travellers driving on Highway 101. In the 1960s, the cheesemaking industry in Tillamook went through a difficult period due to a bitter dispute between the TCDA and the TCCA over the marketing of Grade A milk.
In the 21st century, the TCCA continued to expand its operations, opening a second cheesemaking facility in Boardman, Oregon, in 2001, and acquiring an ice cream manufacturing plant in Decatur, Illinois, in 2024. Today, the TCCA employs nearly 900 people in Oregon and is the 44th largest dairy processor in North America, with $1 billion in sales in 2021. The Tillamook Cheese Factory in Tillamook, Oregon, remains a popular tourist destination, with over a million visitors each year.
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The cheesemaking process
The Tillamook Cheese Factory in Tillamook, Oregon, is the original cheese production facility for the company. It produces more than 170,000 pounds of cheese daily and packages approximately one million pounds on-site each week. Visitors can learn about the cheesemaking process from a viewing gallery over the main production floor. The self-guided tours are augmented by video presentations and interactive kiosks, providing a wealth of information about how Tillamook cheese is made.
To meet growing demand, Tillamook opened a second cheesemaking facility in Boardman, Oregon, in 2001. This facility expanded their cheese production substantially, with the ability to produce up to 170 million pounds of cheese per year. The majority of Tillamook cheeses are made at these two Oregon facilities, ensuring the cheese's strong association with the state.
In addition to their Oregon facilities, Tillamook also partners with industry experts outside of the state to produce certain cheeses and dairy products. These partnerships allow Tillamook to create specialised items, such as yogurt, sour cream, butter, and cream cheese spreads, that require specific equipment and knowledge. While some production occurs outside of Oregon, Tillamook maintains strict control over their recipes and specifications, ensuring consistent quality and flavour across all their products.
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Tillamook's factories and facilities
The Tillamook Cheese Factory, located at 4165 U.S. 101 North in Tillamook, Oregon, is the TCCA's original cheese production facility. The Tillamook Cheese Factory also has a visitor centre, the Tillamook Creamery, which hosts over 1.3 million tourists annually. Visitors can learn about the cheesemaking process, cheese packaging process, and the ice cream-making process from a viewing gallery over the main production floor. The factory produces more than 170,000 pounds of cheese daily and packages approximately one million pounds on-site each week. The centre also includes a dining area and gift store.
In 2001, the TCCA opened a second cheesemaking facility in Boardman, Oregon, next to the Columbia River at the Port of Morrow. The 85,000-square-foot facility can produce up to 170 million pounds of cheese per year and has substantially expanded the TCCA's cheese production. The process and recipe are consistent across all TCCA manufacturing, ensuring the same taste across all products. The Boardman facility also produces lactose powder and dried whey protein concentrate.
To meet consumer demand, Tillamook has also partnered with industry experts to produce certain dairy products outside of Oregon, such as yogurt, sour cream, butter, and cream cheese spreads. Tillamook will also be opening an ice cream manufacturing plant in Decatur, Illinois, in late 2024, its first manufacturing plant outside of Oregon.
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Tillamook's awards and recognition
Tillamook has received numerous awards and recognition over the years, celebrating their commitment to community impact and their high-quality cheese and dairy products.
In 2018, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy recognised Tillamook's collaborative approach to social impact by awarding them the Community Impact Award. Tillamook's commitment to the community is demonstrated through their various initiatives, such as their partnership with CARE, a local agency serving at-risk populations, and their creation of a dairy patch with the Girl Scouts of Oregon to educate young girls about STEM, farms, and food production.
Additionally, Tillamook has been recognised for its exceptional dairy products, winning 12 awards at the 2023 International Cheese and Dairy Awards, including four gold medals and two "Best USA Cheese" awards. This prestigious competition, celebrating cheese and dairy products for 125 years, featured over 5,500 entries from world-class producers. Tillamook's medal-winning products included the Seriously Strawberry Farmstyle Cream Cheese Spread, Maker's Reserve 2018 Extra Sharp White Cheddar, and Chive & Onion Farmstyle Cream Cheese Spread.
Furthermore, the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) received the 2021 Gold Halo Award in the Best Activism/Advocacy Initiative category. This award recognised TCCA's "All For Farmers" partnership with the American Farmland Trust, demonstrating their commitment to supporting farmers, especially during the financial challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis.
The annual Tillamook Area Community Awards also celebrate individuals, businesses, and projects that contribute to the strength and vitality of the Tillamook community. These awards include the Citizen of the Year, honouring those with a positive and lasting impact, and the Business of the Year, recognising businesses with a commitment to innovation and community.
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The Tillamook Cheese Factory as a tourist destination
The Tillamook Cheese Factory, located at 4165 U.S. 101 North in Tillamook, Oregon, is a popular tourist destination, attracting over a million visitors each year. The factory is the original cheese production facility of the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA), a farmer-owned dairy cooperative that manufactures and sells dairy products under the "Tillamook" brand name. The TCCA is the 44th largest dairy processor in North America and posted $1 billion in sales in 2021, showcasing the economic impact of the Tillamook Cheese Factory on the region.
The Tillamook Cheese Factory offers a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about the cheesemaking process. Visitors can take self-guided, self-paced tours of the facility, which are augmented by video presentations and interactive kiosks. From a viewing gallery over the main production floor, visitors can observe the cheesemaking, cheese packaging, and ice cream-making processes. The factory produces more than 170,000 pounds of cheese daily and packages approximately one million pounds on-site each week, providing visitors with a dynamic and engaging experience.
The Tillamook Cheese Factory has a rich history that dates back to the mid-19th century when the Tillamook Valley was ideal for dairy cattle. However, transporting milk and butter over the surrounding mountains was challenging. To overcome this, local farmers built a schooner named the Morning Star in 1854 or 1855, according to some sources, to transport butter to Portland, Oregon. A replica of the Morning Star is now on display at the factory, commemorating this important chapter in the region's dairy history.
The first cheese factory in Tillamook was established in 1893 or 1894 by Portland entrepreneurs Thaddeus "T.S." Townsend and Harry Ogden, who herded cattle over the Coast Range to ensure a sufficient milk supply. Peter McIntosh, hired as the head cheesemaker, provided the local dairy farmers with a foolproof recipe for cheddar cheese. Over time, Tillamook gained a reputation for its dairy products, and in 1909, several cheesemakers in the region formed the TCCA to market their products collectively and ensure quality and consistency.
In addition to the viewing gallery and historical exhibits, the Tillamook Cheese Factory also features a dining area and a gift store, where visitors can purchase Tillamook cheese and other dairy products. The factory's visitor centre, the Tillamook Creamery, was expanded in 2018 to include 38,500 square feet of exhibit and viewing space, enhancing the overall visitor experience. With its strong focus on education, interactivity, and showcasing local history, the Tillamook Cheese Factory has solidified its place as a prominent tourist destination in Oregon.
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Frequently asked questions
Tillamook cheese is made in Tillamook, Oregon, USA. The Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is headquartered just east of Tillamook Bay and has a second cheesemaking facility in Boardman, Oregon.
The story of Tillamook cheese began in the mid-19th century when dairy farmers in the Tillamook Valley struggled to transport their milk and butter over the surrounding mountains. In 1854 or 1855, they built a schooner called the Morning Star to transport butter to Portland, Oregon. In 1893 or 1894, the first cheese factory was established in the county by Peter McIntosh and T. S. Townsend.
The Tillamook Cheese Factory produces more than 170,000 pounds of cheese daily and packages approximately one million pounds on-site each week. The Boardman facility can produce up to 170 million pounds of cheese per year.
Tillamook also manufactures and sells dairy products such as ice cream, butter, sour cream, cream cheese spreads, and yogurt.
