Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA), a Certified B Corporation, issued its 2023 Stewardship Report, which features numerous stories of TCCA's stewardship efforts, including a strategic partnership to rebuild ecosystems; employee-led initiatives to improve environmental sustainability; community enrichment initiatives and much more.

"TCCA employees embrace our stewardship efforts and our commitment to doing right – across teams, job functions and locations," said Paul Snyder, executive vice president, Stewardship, TCCA. "Because stewardship is core to who we are as a co-op – and has been for more than 115 years – we see tremendous ownership and innovation coming from scrappy, employee-driven efforts. Our progressive approach encourages action wherever there is a need."

For example, the TCCA Goal Zero team is an employee-led group that works to reduce water, energy and waste impacts at TCCA manufacturing facilities. The team identified more than 110 projects to advance TCCA stewardship-related efforts further. Both large and small in scale, more than 50 of the projects have already been completed, resulting in highly tangible annual outcomes such as reducing water by more than 41.3 million gallons and saving 7 million kWh of electricity.   

The annual Stewardship Report shares additional stories, projects and updates toward TCCA's stewardship commitment areas: thriving farms, healthful cows, inspired consumers, enduring ecosystems, fulfilled employees, and enriched communities. Key milestones from the 2023 report include:

• 99% of all paper-based packaging is from sustainable-certified materials, with a goal to reach 100% by 2025.
• $2,500 bonuses awarded to farmer-owners who wrote and implemented an animal care improvement plan, such as increasing milk volume, improved walking paths, and automatic foot baths to help enhance cow comfort.
• 60,000 lbs. of agricultural plastic collected by farmer-owners and TCCA's Farm Services team ready to be shipped to a recycler, reducing on-farm landfill waste.
• 130 grants awarded to worthy causes focused on agriculture advocacy, food security and healthy children, totaling 6% of TCCA's net income donated.
• 2,891 hours volunteered by TCCA employees.

Further highlights from the report include a strategic partnership with New Seasons Market—a Pacific Northwest-based grocer and fellow B Corp—to support on-the-ground environmental projects within the TCCA supply chain. Earlier this year, volunteers from TCCA and New Seasons Market came together to plant native, woody vegetation in Tillamook. Additionally, during the next five years, TCCA will partner with New Seasons Market to undertake a massive manure management program with local dairy farms.

"Each year, we are humbled by the progress made in advancing our stewardship efforts," said Snyder. "We are also inspired to do even more along our journey and continue progressing toward our stewardship goals."