Bushra Griffith
Tillamook cheese is inextricably linked to Oregon. The Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is a farmer-owned cooperative with nearly 60 dairy farms, most of which are within Tillamook County, Oregon. The Tillamook Cheese Factory, located at 4165 U.S. 101 North in Tillamook, Oregon, is the original cheese production facility of the TCCA. The story of cheese in Tillamook, Oregon, began in the mid-19th century when EuroAmericans settled near what is now Tillamook Bay. The mild coastal climate was ideal for growing grass to support dairy cattle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Tillamook, Oregon |
| History | Generations of dairy farmers and cheesemakers have been working in Tillamook for over a hundred years |
| Awards | Over 750 awards since 1904, including the World's Best Medium Cheddar in the 2010 World Cheese Championship Cheese Contest |
| Employees | Nearly 900 people in Oregon; the largest employer in Tillamook County |
| Sales | $1 billion in sales in 2021 |
| Products | Cheese, ice cream, butter, sour cream, and yogurt |
| Headquarters | Tillamook, Oregon |
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What You'll Learn
Tillamook County Creamery Association
TCCA markets a range of processed dairy products, including cheese, ice cream, butter, sour cream, and yogurt. Some of these products are manufactured by the cooperative itself, while others are produced under licensing agreements with partner companies. The most notable product of TCCA is Tillamook cheese, with the most popular variety being Tillamook Cheddar. In 2010, Tillamook Medium Cheddar cheese won the gold medal at the World Cheese Championship Cheese Contest, beating 59 other entries.
The Tillamook Valley's mild coastal climate and grass provide ideal conditions for dairy farming. In the mid-19th century, dairy farmers in the region faced the challenge of transporting milk and butter over the surrounding mountains. To address this, several farmers built a schooner named the Morning Star in 1854 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.
The Tillamook Cheese Factory, located at 4165 U.S. 101 North in Tillamook, Oregon, is the original cheese production facility of the TCCA. The factory includes a visitor center, the Tillamook Creamery, which offers guided and self-guided tours, cheese and ice cream tastings, and other activities. Over 1.3 million people visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory each year.
In addition to its commitment to quality and delicious products, TCCA prioritizes sustainability and the well-being of its cows. The company has also demonstrated a commitment to its values and the environment, phasing out the use of bovine growth hormones in 2005 due to consumer concerns about potential cancer risks.
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Tillamook Cheddar
The story of Tillamook cheese began in the mid-19th century when thousands of Euro-Americans settled in the area around Tillamook Bay on the north Oregon coast. The mild coastal climate was ideal for growing grass to support dairy cattle, and in 1854, local farmers built a schooner called the Morning Star to transport butter to Portland, Oregon. The Morning Star is now featured on the co-op's logo. The first cheese factory in the county was established in 1894, and the TCCA's original cheese production facility, the Tillamook Cheese Factory, was built in 1949. The Tillamook Cheese Factory is located at 4165 U.S. 101 North in Tillamook, Oregon, and it includes a visitor centre, the Tillamook Creamery, which hosts over 1.3 million tourists annually. Visitors can learn about the cheesemaking process, watch cheese and ice cream being made, and enjoy cheese and ice cream tastings.
The TCCA has a strong commitment to quality and only uses the finest ingredients in its products. They naturally age their cheddar cheese and source berries from the Pacific Northwest. In 2005, the company demonstrated its commitment to consumers by deciding to phase out the use of a genetically engineered bovine growth hormone in its dairy suppliers, despite objections from some member farmers and the hormone's manufacturer.
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Tillamook Creamery
The Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is a farmer-owned cooperative with a rich history spanning over a century. The story of cheese in Tillamook, Oregon, began in the mid-19th century when Euro-American settlers, travelling over the Oregon Trail, found that the mild coastal climate of the region was ideal for dairy farming. In 1894, Peter McIntosh and T. S. Townsend established the county's first cheese factory, and in 1909, ten independent creameries came together to form the TCCA.
Located in the charming coastal town of Tillamook, Oregon, the Tillamook Creamery is a popular destination for dairy enthusiasts and tourists alike. The Creamery offers free self-guided tours, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to learn about the cheesemaking process, witness cheese packaging, and even view the ice cream-making process from a gallery overlooking the main production floor. The Tillamook Creamery also features a family-friendly dining hall and gift shop, offering a range of dairy-inspired gear and treats.
The TCCA is committed to uncompromising standards and obsessively sources its ingredients, ensuring that every bite of their products meets their high-quality expectations. This dedication to excellence has resulted in numerous awards, including the World's Best Medium Cheddar in the 2010 World Cheese Championship Cheese Contest. In addition to their award-winning cheddar, the TCCA markets a diverse range of processed dairy products, such as ice cream, butter, sour cream, and yogurt, solidifying their reputation as a leading dairy processor in North America.
The Tillamook Creamery is open seven days a week, from 10 am to 6 pm, and welcomes visitors from all over the world. With over 1.3 million tourists annually, the Creamery has become a significant attraction, contributing to the economic prosperity of the region. The TCCA's commitment to sustainability and responsibility is evident in their decision to phase out the use of bovine growth hormones in 2005, addressing consumer concerns and setting a precedent for other national dairy brands.
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Tillamook Cheese Factory
The Tillamook Cheese Factory is located in Tillamook, Oregon, and is the original cheese production facility of the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA). The TCCA is a farmer-owned cooperative, with nearly 60 dairy farms, mostly within Tillamook County. The brand is strongest on the West Coast but sells in all 50 states and has won numerous awards from the American Cheese Society and other groups.
The Tillamook Valley was ideal for dairy farming in the mid-19th century, but transporting milk and butter over the surrounding mountains was a challenge. In 1854, several farmers from the county built a schooner called the Morning Star to transport butter to Portland, Oregon. The schooner is now featured as part of the co-op's logo, and a replica is on display at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.
The first cheese factory in the county was established in 1894 by Peter McIntosh and T. S. Townsend. The TCCA was founded in 1909 by ten independent creameries, and in 1949, the Tillamook Cheese Factory was built north of Tillamook, with a storage plant and traffic department. The factory hosts over 1.3 million tourists annually, who can learn about the cheesemaking and packaging processes, as well as ice cream making, from a viewing gallery over the main production floor.
In 2000, the TCCA expanded by purchasing the Bandon Cheese Factory on the southern Oregon coast, and in 2001, it opened a satellite cheese factory in Boardman, Oregon, called Columbia River Processing, which produces the majority of the company's cheeses today. The TCCA has been recognised for its commitment to sustainability and animal welfare, including phasing out the use of bovine growth hormones in 2005 after consumer concerns.
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Tillamook Cheese history
Tillamook cheese has been made in Oregon for over a hundred years. The story of cheese in Tillamook, a small town near Tillamook Bay on the north Oregon Coast, began during the mid-19th century. Thousands of EuroAmericans travelled to the Pacific Northwest over the Oregon Trail and, upon finding that most of the land in the Willamette Valley had already been homesteaded, continued west over the Coast Range and settled near what is now Tillamook Bay. The remote, heavily forested area presented many challenges, but the mild coastal climate was good for growing grass that could support dairy cattle.
In 1854, several farmers from the county built a schooner named the Morning Star to transport butter to Portland, Oregon. The schooner is now featured as part of the co-op's logo, and a replica is on display at The Tillamook Cheese Factory. Peter McIntosh and T. S. Townsend established the county's first cheese factory in 1894. The Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) was founded by ten independent creameries in 1909. Under secretary-manager George R. Lawson (CEO 1944-1950), the cooperative began producing rindless cheese in 1946 and bottled milk the following year.
In 1949, partnering with four independent plants and with financing arranged through First National Bank, the Tillamook Cheese Factory north of Tillamook was built. The enlarged facility included a storage plant and traffic department. In 2000, the TCCA purchased the financially struggling Bandon Cheese Factory on the southern Oregon coast. Cheese production continued there until 2002, and the original factory building was demolished in 2005. The TCCA still produces and markets cheese under the Bandon Cheese brand.
In 2001, the TCCA opened a satellite cheese factory in Boardman, Oregon, called Columbia River Processing, which produces the majority of the company's cheeses today. The Tillamook Cheese Factory in Tillamook, Oregon, is the TCCA's original cheese production facility and also has a visitor centre, the Tillamook Creamery, which hosts over 1.3 million tourists annually. Visitors can learn about the cheesemaking, cheese packaging, and ice cream-making processes from a viewing gallery over the main production floor.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Tillamook cheese is made in Oregon. The Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is headquartered in Tillamook, Oregon, and has been for generations.
The most popular cheese produced by Tillamook is cheddar. In 2010, their medium cheddar won the gold medal at the World Cheese Championship Cheese Contest.
Tillamook cheese is sold across all 50 states in the US. It is the 44th largest dairy processor in North America and posted $1 billion in sales in 2021.
Yes, the Tillamook Cheese Factory is located at 4165 U.S. 101 North in Tillamook, Oregon, and has a visitor centre and hosts over 1 million tourists annually. Visitors can learn about the cheese-making process, packaging, and ice cream-making.
Tillamook markets several processed dairy products, including cheese, ice cream, butter, sour cream, and yoghurt.
