by Britnee Speice-Will
Tillamook, the dairy brand in Oregon, is a responsible brand that focuses on their commitment to social good. They recently became a certified B Corporation because of their dedication to their six Stewardship Commitments. These commitments include thriving farms, healthful cows, inspired consumers, enduring ecosystems, fulfilled employees, and enriched communities.
The first commitment, thriving farms, is dedicated to helping farmers be more efficient, economically sound and practical for generations. Tillamook pays farmer owners above the market value and a premium for quality milk. The second commitment, healthful cows, focuses on the five freedoms of good animal welfare: providing adequate food and water, comfort and shelter, proper handling, prevention and treatment of disease and injury, and minimizing fear, stress and suffering no matter the size of the farm. They work closely with animal nutritionists and veterinarians.
The third commitment, inspired consumers, focuses on providing the highest quality of ingredients. When teaming up with suppliers and contract manufacturers, they only team up with individuals who share Tillamook’s values. When consumers wanted to see less packaging with Tillamook’s Cheese Boards, the company responded by reducing plastic materials for the snack tray by 30% and reducing the plastic film by 20%. The fourth commitment, enduring ecosystems, focuses on improving “waste reduction, water stewardship, clean energy, and fuel efficiency efforts.” Tillamook’s website states, “When it comes to the environment, good is never good enough.” They recognize they are taking steps in the right direction but that there’s still a long way to go.
The fifth commitment, fulfilled employees, focuses on fostering a culture that is enriching and fulfilling. Some of their 2019 highlights include 100% of employees being paid a living wage, 45% of employees holding a Manager or above status being female, and 14% of their employees being promoted that year. Their sixth commitment, enriched communities, focuses on investing time and money into their communities. They were awarded the 2019 Outstanding Philanthropy Award from The Association of Fundraising Professionals. They also created a full-time position dedicated to understanding the root causes of hunger in Tillamook County.
Overall, Tillamook is responsible because they are transparent with what they do as a company, are empathetic towards their employees, farmers, community and consumers, and are authentic, as everything they do aligns with their values.