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Alto Dairy Cooperative

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Alto Dairy Cooperative
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryFood
Founded1894 in Waupun, Wisconsin
Number of locations
2[1]
ProductsCheese, cream, liquid veal food,[clarification needed] whey, & whey protein concentrate
ParentSaputo Inc. (2008–present)
Websiteblackcreekcheese.com

Alto Dairy Cooperative (ADC) was a farmer-owned dairy cooperative in Waupun, Wisconsin. Founded in 1894, it is the oldest farmer-owned cooperative in the state of Wisconsin and boasts the nation's largest cheese producing plant east of the Mississippi River.[2] As of 2007, ADC had two cheese plants, one in Black Creek and one in Waupun, as well as 467 employees. The cooperative has a membership of about 500 farmers. In 2007, it handled $378 million in sales and had a net income of $19.6 million.[2]

Sale of Alto Dairy

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In 2008, Alto Dairy Cooperative was sold to Saputo Inc., a Canadian cheese company. Alto Dairy still operates under its original name as a subsidiary. This sale was approved by 98% of the farmers who are active in the cooperative, allowing Saputo Cheese USA, Inc. to purchase the dairy cooperative for $160 million.[3]

Notable achievements

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In 2007, ADC appeared on the History channel series Modern Marvels. The show interviewed employees and filmed the production process at the Black Creek cheese plant, chosen for its diverse cheese-making abilities.[4] Alto Dairy Colby-Jack cheese won an award at the World Championship Cheese and butter contest in 2006 and 2008. The prize-winning cheese was from the Black Creek cheese plant.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Savor Wisconsin, Alto Dairy Cooperative Archived October 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, retrieved February 15, 2013.
  2. ^ a b JSOnline, Sale of Dairy Co-op Proposed Archived December 22, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, retrieved January 30, 2008
  3. ^ USDA Rural Development, Alto Members Approve Sale to Saputo Cheese USA Archived January 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, retrieved February 16, 2013.
  4. ^ World Dairy Diary. "Wisc. Cheese Featured on History Channel". Retrieved June 20, 2007.
  5. ^ World Dairy Diary. "Colby-Jack Takes The Prize". Retrieved March 17, 2008.