Over one hundred years ago, several small creameries teamed up to form the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) to ensure the quality and reputation of cheese made in the Tillamook Valley. Today, the association is made up of approximately 90 dairy farm families who own TCCA and are wholeheartedly dedicated to taking care of all dairy products that carry the Tillamook name.
Tillamook County Creamery Association has taken their care several steps further in these unprecedented times by donating $4 million to help those struggling as a result of Coronavirus.
“We are fortunate that our business is strong right now, but many people in the communities where we operate and across the country are hurting because of the burdens created by the pandemic. That’s why our farmer-owners have committed to a $4 million relief plan to help our employees, communities and industry partners respond to and recover from the COVID-19 crisis,” said Patrick Criteser, President and CEO of Tillamook County Creamery Association.
The donations will be made to several organizations that serve the community, including:
- $200,000 to the Oregon Food Bank, a longstanding partner, to address food insecurity statewide, including significant donations to the food banks in Tillamook and Morrow counties.
- $100,000 to the Oregon Community Foundation to support its relief efforts in communities across the state.
- $20,000 to Tillamook County Action Resource Enterprises, Inc. (CARE) to help with rental, energy and other emergency services for low- to middle-income families in Tillamook County who have been laid off or lost wages as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
- $15,000 to the Tillamook County Wellness program to help fund a new youth outdoor recreation coordinator.
- $10,000 to Tillamook Early Learning Center to help keep one of the few childcare facilities in Tillamook afloat and offer scholarships to families returning to care once they reopen.
- $5,000 to the Oregon State University Foundation to fund scholarships for students studying agriculture.
In an effort to support the hurting small businesses of the community, TCCA is earmarking another $500,000 to create or invest in programs that aid business revitalization efforts and support small businesses as they recover from the impacts of COVID-19. This effort will be focused on the rural Oregon communities of Tillamook and Morrow Counties, where they operative their production facilities and where so many of their farmer-owners and employees work and live.
While the bulk of its relief efforts will be focused on hometown support, TCCA is also planning to support its retail, restaurant and foodservice partners nationwide, with financial and product donations.
We commend the dairy producers of Tillamook County Creamery Association, many of who are also member-owners of our All West/Select Sires cooperative, for their commitment to community and resilience in times of uncertainty.
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