Gay Lea Foods acquires Black River Cheese Company

Gay Lea Foods has signed an agreement to acquire Black River Cheese, which will boost its presence in Canada’s cheese market.

The agreement will become effective from 1 June.

Financial details of the transaction have not been divulged.

An artisan cheese maker, Gay Lea Foods offers two brands, Salerno and Ivanhoe, for the retail and foodservice sectors.

The acquisition of Black River Cheese, which has presence in eastern Ontario, will build on Gay Lea Foods’ current cheese operations in Hamilton and Madoc, Ontario.

Salerno is an Italian-style, soft, semi-soft and hard cheese brand, while Ivanhoe brand produces cheddar and smoked Gouda.

Gay Lea Foods recently launched two flavoured goat cheddar cheeses under the Ivanhoe brand.

The firm also recently acquired shares in Mariposa Dairy, which produces goat and sheep cheese.

Gay Lea Foods chair of the board Steve Dolson said: "Gay Lea Foods is committed to growing the market for Canadian dairy and strengthening dairy farmers’ ability to secure markets for our milk.

Gay Lea Foods president and CEO Michael Barrett said: "As Ontario’s largest dairy co-operative, we are focused on growing a strong, sustainable dairy industry that continues to deliver innovative, market-driven dairy products, while further diversifying the Canadian cheese sector."

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Image: Gay Lea Foods has signed an agreement to acquire Black River Cheese. Photo Courtesy of TAW4/Freedigitalphotos.net