An old adage says: "If you want something done right, do it yourself." This saying perfectly encapsulates the operations of Rutter's Dairy, which produces fluid milk along with some juice and tea products at its York, Pa.-based plant.

York, Pa., can trace its beginnings back to 1741, when settlers from the Philadelphia region founded the city. And Rutter's Dairy, which is based in this area, has an origin story that goes back almost as far.

Maola Local Dairies, the signature brand from Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association Inc. (MDVA), covers dairy products touted as being "fresh from farm to fridge" and "100% local."

Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association Inc. (MDVA) lays claim to much more than a long name. The Reston, Va.-based dairy cooperative also boasts an impressively long history, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2020.

Some residents of Oregon's largest city have sought to "Keep Portland Weird," a motto based on safeguarding the city's reputation for farmers markets, artisanal craftworks and an eccentric literary/arts scene. But before it became the de facto capital for millennial hipsters, Portland had a long history of industrial production.

A cooperative, by definition, works together for a common goal. But for Seattle-based Darigold, the marketing and processing subsidiary of the Northwest Dairy Association (NDA), this idea of prioritizing the greater good extends beyond its business category. The cooperative’s plans for long-term growth include supporting the dairy industry as a whole.

Horizon Organic, a Broomfield, Colo.-based brand of Danone North America, debuted Horizon Organic Growing Years, a whole milk created specifically for children ages 1 to 5.

Constantine, Mich., bills itself as the "seed corn capital of the world," producing more than 10% of the United States' supply. But this Southwest Michigan town hasn't completely "gone to seed." It also lays claim to a dairy processing powerhouse operated by the Novi, Mich.-based Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA).

When it comes to monikers for dairy cooperatives, Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) is something of a misnomer. The name somewhat belies the fact that the Novi, Mich.-based operation serves nearly 1,600 dairy farmer-owners residing not only in Michigan, but also in Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Sandusky, Ohio, situated on the shores of Lake Erie midway between Cleveland and Toledo, is home to Cedar Point, the renowned amusement park that bills itself as "The Roller Coaster Capital of the World."