Canada-based Amalgamated Dairies Ltd. (ADL) and Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd., also based in Canada, launched the Co-operative Dairy Alliance (CDA) to strengthen cooperation between two of Canada's leading dairy cooperatives.

The alliance seeks to strengthen dairy cooperative leadership in the Canadian dairy industry by growing the market for Canadian milk and building on the current variety of value-added dairy products. ADL and Gay Lea Foods will work collectively by sharing process excellence and collaborating on market distribution, delegate and leadership training, research and development and procurement. 

ADL is a PEI co-operative representing PEI dairy farmers, serving the Atlantic provinces and is a leader in cheese and condensed milk; Gay Lea Foods is a dairy co-operative in Ontario producing Spreadables butter, cultured products such as Smooth Cottage Cheese, whipped cream and cheese snacks under the Nothing But Cheese brand.

"The nature of this new relationship will allow each respective co-operative to maintain their independence while at the same time leveraging the strengths, assets and resources of the combined business to work towards a collective goal to grow and sustain a strong, dynamic and innovative dairy industry for the benefit of their members,” says Garnet Schellen, president, ADL.

"As a proud Canadian dairy co-operative, we aspire to apply the co-operative principles in our daily business practices with industry partners and customers, and the alliance is another way we can strengthen both the Canadian dairy industry and the co-operative movement,” adds Paul Vickers, chair of the board, Gay Lea Foods.