Humboldt Creamery
Encyclopedia
Humboldt Creamery was formerly an agricultural marketing cooperative located on the California
North Coast. Established in 1929 as a local association of 152 dairy
farms, the creamery
continues operation today under the ownership of Foster Farms Dairy of Modesto, California. Financial problems came to light after the resignation of CEO Rich Ghilarducci on February 20, 2009. Bankruptcy proceedings culminated in the sale of assets of the Humboldt Creamery on August 27, 2009, to Foster Farms Dairy
.
production was entirely based on 50 relatively small family dairies located on rich coastal lands of Humboldt
and Del Norte
Counties. It was one of only two dairy operations in the United States to have "free farmed" certification, a designation related to the extraordinary quality of life attributed to cows who live in pastures. While most of the massive dairy operations in the Central Valley have grain fed cows, this coastal operation could boast that their cows ate fresh green grass nine months a year, causing them to live twice as long and produce significantly more butterfat
.
The co-op produced as much as 10 million gallons of ice cream
annually in addition to milk
, butter
, cheese
, and other products under its own label and a variety of other labels. It was the sole producer of Costco
premium ice cream. This exclusive contract and purchases in 2004 of several other ice cream companies made it one of the largest ice cream producers in the western United States. Though originally the bulk of production was in powdered milk for export, the organic label and related regional success helped the company prepare to go national in marketing at the end of 2008, but had, perhaps, grown too fast. Primary storage and production facilities remain for now at its original site in Fernbridge, California
and frozen products are still based in a Stockton, California
facility. However, under order of the Santa Rosa bankruptcy court, a more recently acquired facility in Los Angeles
and older property located in Loleta, California
have been divided off for separate sale. The operation through to August 2009 and all of its products had always been free of synthetic or added rbST hormone.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
North Coast. Established in 1929 as a local association of 152 dairy
Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...
farms, the creamery
Creamery
In a dairy, the creamery is the location of cream processing. Cream is separated from whole milk; pasteurization is done to the skimmed milk and cream separately. Whole milk for sale has had some cream returned to the skimmed milk....
continues operation today under the ownership of Foster Farms Dairy of Modesto, California. Financial problems came to light after the resignation of CEO Rich Ghilarducci on February 20, 2009. Bankruptcy proceedings culminated in the sale of assets of the Humboldt Creamery on August 27, 2009, to Foster Farms Dairy
Foster Farms Dairy
The Foster Farms Dairy was founded in 1941 by Max and Verda Fosterin Modesto, California, a venture following the 1939 opening of Foster Farms. The company claims to be "the largest privately owned dairy in California."...
.
History
As recently as 2009, creameryCreamery
In a dairy, the creamery is the location of cream processing. Cream is separated from whole milk; pasteurization is done to the skimmed milk and cream separately. Whole milk for sale has had some cream returned to the skimmed milk....
production was entirely based on 50 relatively small family dairies located on rich coastal lands of Humboldt
Humboldt County, California
Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of California, located on the far North Coast 200 miles north of San Francisco. According to 2010 Census Data, the county’s population was 134,623...
and Del Norte
Del Norte County, California
Del Norte County is a county located at the far northwest corner of the U.S. state of California on the Pacific adjacent to the Oregon border. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 28,610. The county seat is Crescent City, the county's only incorporated city. Del Norte is the abbreviated...
Counties. It was one of only two dairy operations in the United States to have "free farmed" certification, a designation related to the extraordinary quality of life attributed to cows who live in pastures. While most of the massive dairy operations in the Central Valley have grain fed cows, this coastal operation could boast that their cows ate fresh green grass nine months a year, causing them to live twice as long and produce significantly more butterfat
Butterfat
Butterfat or milkfat is the fatty portion of milk. Milk and cream are often sold according to the amount of butterfat they contain.- Composition :The fatty acids of butterfat are typically composed as follows :...
.
The co-op produced as much as 10 million gallons of ice cream
Ice cream
Ice cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners...
annually in addition to milk
Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
, butter
Butter
Butter is a dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk. It is generally used as a spread and a condiment, as well as in cooking applications, such as baking, sauce making, and pan frying...
, cheese
Cheese
Cheese is a generic term for a diverse group of milk-based food products. Cheese is produced throughout the world in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms....
, and other products under its own label and a variety of other labels. It was the sole producer of Costco
Costco
Costco Wholesale Corporation is the largest membership warehouse club chain in the United States. it is the third largest retailer in the United States, where it originated, and the ninth largest in the world...
premium ice cream. This exclusive contract and purchases in 2004 of several other ice cream companies made it one of the largest ice cream producers in the western United States. Though originally the bulk of production was in powdered milk for export, the organic label and related regional success helped the company prepare to go national in marketing at the end of 2008, but had, perhaps, grown too fast. Primary storage and production facilities remain for now at its original site in Fernbridge, California
Fernbridge, California
Fernbridge is an unincorporated community at an elevation of in Humboldt County, California, named for an historic bridge, west-northwest of Fortuna.-Town of Fernbridge:...
and frozen products are still based in a Stockton, California
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
facility. However, under order of the Santa Rosa bankruptcy court, a more recently acquired facility in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and older property located in Loleta, California
Loleta, California
Loleta is a census-designated place in Humboldt County, California. It is located south of Fields Landing, at an elevation of 46 feet . The population was 783 at the 2010 census....
have been divided off for separate sale. The operation through to August 2009 and all of its products had always been free of synthetic or added rbST hormone.
External links
- Humboldt Creamery—Company official web site
- Humboldt Creamery—Consumer web site
- Foster Farms website