Canada-based Gay Lea Foods Cooperative Ltd. acquired Black River Cheese Co., Canada, effective June 1.

Gay Lea Foods is an artisan cheesemaker, producing a wide variety of cheeses for retail and foodservice under the Salerno and Ivanhoe brands.

The addition of Black River Cheese builds on Gay Lea Foods' existing cheese operations in Hamilton and Madoc, Ontario.

The Black River Cheese store will remain open as part of the continued commitment to the local community and thriving agri-food sector in Prince Edward County, Ontario. Retail and foodservice customers will also continue to be served from the Prince Edward County operations.

"Gay Lea Foods is committed to growing the market for Canadian dairy and strengthening dairy farmers' ability to secure markets for our milk. We are pleased to welcome the Black River Cheese Co. into our dairy co-operative as part of our continued support for the Canadian dairy industry and Ontario dairy farmers," says Steve Dolson, chair of the board of Gay Lea Foods.

"As Ontario's largest dairy co-operative, we are focused on growing a strong, sustainable dairy industry that continues to deliver innovative, market-driven dairy products, while further diversifying the Canadian cheese sector,” adds Michael Barrett, president and CEO of Gay Lea Foods.