Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Gay Lea expands share of cheese market with purchase of Salerno Dairy

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

by MATT MCINTOSH

The family-owned Salerno Dairy Products Ltd. has been bought by Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd., Ontario’s largest dairy co-operative, for an undisclosed amount.

Employing 185 people, the Hamilton-based Salerno Dairy manufactures and markets traditional Italian cheeses to retail stores, as well as other foodservice businesses and organizations.

According to Gay Lea’s website, the Salerno Dairy’s wide range of products will help the co-operative “establish relationships with new customers,” and enhance their current position in the cheese market.

“The co-operative manufactures a variety of dairy products, but has a very small cheese business,” says Michael Barrett, chief operational officer at Gay Lea Foods. “Cheese and yogurt are a very significant part of the market, and the Salerno purchase helps Gay Lea continue its growth into that cheese market.”

Gay Lea reached a deal with Salerno this past weekend, and the company was bought, officially, on February 1.

“With this acquisition we are merging two of Ontario’s best traditions: a farmer-owned co-operative and a family-owned business” says Paul Vickers, chair of Gay Lea Foods, on the co-operative’s website.

Gay Lea Foods has five production facilities in Ontario, and is owned by approximately 1,200 dairy farmers. The co-operative’s sales reached $560 million in the last fiscal year. BF


 

Current Issue

October 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Setting Foundations for Higher Yielding Soybeans

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Farmers can achieve higher soybean yields by focusing on strong foundations and careful field management according to Shaun Casteel, Extension Soybean Specialist from Purdue University, who spoke at the in August. He emphasized that no single method guarantees success—each field... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top