Following a rigorous certification process, Tillamook County Creamery Association said it is now recognized as a Certified B Corporation (B Corp). Tillamook qualified for the prestigious B Corp distinction by demonstrating the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

"Since our founding in 1909, Tillamook has embraced the stewardship values that B Corps also represent," said Paul Snyder, executive vice president of stewardship for the Tillamook, Ore.-based cooperative. "While this is a new honor that we are both pleased and humbled to receive, the actions that earned us this certification are not new to us. We have commitments more than 100 years old to [care] for our cows and farms, our people and products, our communities and the environment."

B Corps are for-profit companies that use the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy, Tillamook said. The B Corp certification process measures a company's performance in five impact areas, including governance, workers, customers, community and the environment. There are currently more than 3,500 B Corps in 150 industries and 74 countries around the world.

To qualify for the highly selective B Corp certification, Tillamook said it responded to 220 questions in the key impact areas, along with 58 additional disclosure questions. More than 90% of the questions were verified with documentation, data, policies and/or verbal confirmations. With a score of 86.6, Tillamook exceeded the minimum required score of 80 to become B Corp certified.

"We welcome Tillamook to a worldwide family of businesses that consistently balance purpose and profit," said Stephanie Ryan, community development at B Lab US & Canada, the B Corp certifying body. "Tillamook now joins a dynamic community of leaders who are committed to using business as a force for good."

Key to achieving B Corp certification, Tillamook said, are its well-established stewardship commitments that guide the co-op's daily actions related to:

• Thriving farms
• Healthful cows
• Inspired consumers
• Enduring ecosystems
• Fulfilled employees
• Enriched communities

"Tillamook has been dedicated to stewardship since the beginning, so we didn't have to change who we are to become B Corp certified. But, we did have to prove how we live out our commitments to all our stakeholders," said Jocelyn Bridson, director of environment & community impact, Tillamook. "We follow a model of continuous improvement, and we are always pushing to do better. Earning B Corp certification is a sign that we are on the right track, and it offers a platform to improve our practices and performance over time."