darigold sunnyside tours

Darigold plant in Sunnyside celebrates expansion

by Bridget Chapman

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — Several community members toured the Darigold plant in Sunnyside on Wednesday in celebration of its recent expansion.

The project allows the plant to process an extra 3.5 million pounds of milk per day, which is nearly a 70 percent increase.

Nonfat powdered milk is now being processed in a "high care" environment with higher-level nutrition applications.

"We'll be able to enter into markets which currently are not open to us," said Scott Burleson, senior vice president of operations at Darigold.

They'll also be able to keep more milk local from the 50 odd dairy farms nearby.

"It's very important to us to keep it local," said Burleson. "Anything we can do to reduce miles and distance we have to haul is a benefit."

In the past, they had to send out the milk to be processed. Now they have more room to do it at home, so truck trips can focus on sending out finished products instead.

Both employees and machines assist in the milk drying and packaging processes. Managers say the expansion increased jobs at the plant by over a quarter. The plant now employs a total of 177 workers.

"It's a great accomplishment and we're just excited you're here to celebrate with us," said NDA/Darigold board chairman Leroy Plagerman during Wednesday's event.

The Sunnyside plant's been around since 1991 and also produces cheese, whey powder and whey protein concentrate. It covers 20 acres of land.

How to Host a Legendairy Event: An Overview of the Darigold Farm Tour

Over the last year, Communiqué PR has been working with Darigold, a dairy co-op, and in that time we have promoted its new naturally white cheddar cheese , planned and hosted an event for the Sunnyside Plant expansion , and shared an abundance of delicious Darigold recipes. After a year of great results highlighting the products, the company and its growth, we wanted to direct some attention to the heart of the corporation: the farmer-owners.

Darigold is a farmer-owned co-op and for those of you who don’t know what that means, the farmers that supply the milk for all Darigold products own the company. Darigold has about 500 farmer-owners, making it one of the largest co-ops in the country. It also means that at the core of Darigold is a group of farmers who are passionate about their farms, their cows and ultimately the milk they provide to consumers. As a partner to the organization, we get to see this passion and dedication firsthand and we thought it only fair that others experience it as well.

Working closely with the team at Darigold, we decided to organize a farm tour that would allow us to share a behind-the-scenes look at where it all begins, a dairy farm. As we planned the tour, there were a few things to consider.

• Who should we take on the tour? For the farm tour, we ultimately decided to invite bloggers to attend for a couple of reasons. With a farm tour, we knew that we would have to drive for at least an hour (in this case two) out of the city and with reporters on deadline, we felt bloggers would be able to work this into their schedule with more ease. Another reason we opted to go with bloggers is the relationship they have with their audience. Consumers often turn to them for suggestions, ideas and reviews on different products as if the blogger is a friend. Lastly, with a little more creative freedom than traditional outlets, we felt that the bloggers would be able to share more openly about their personal experience at the farm and how seeing this side of Darigold influenced their feelings towards the brand and its products.
• Where should we hold the tour? As I mentioned, Darigold has a lot of options when it comes to farms! Distance ultimately eliminated a large portion of the farms. The bloggers that we had invited all have children and needed to ensure that this was only a day trip. With that in mind, we still had an array of options but decided on a farm that was a reasonable distance to drive for a day trip and had experience in hosting tours. I have to admit, I’ve never hosted a farm tour, so I didn’t know what elements of a farm to show off or the order in which we should share information about the farm and how it operates. Luckily, the Coldstream Farm in Demming, Wash., had experience in hosting tours and this allowed us to lean on their experience and expertise in hosting the tour.

Overall, the event was a great success—and a lot of fun, not only for the bloggers but also for me! Sometimes we get caught up in the same routine and strategies, but it’s important to remember to continue thinking outside the box and developing creative ways to tell your clients’ stories. Of course, the traditional methods of outreach will continue to play an important role, but providing a unique experience for media to enjoy will give them with an opportunity to interact with the brand and share their experience with their audience.

Below are a couple of the blog posts that resulted from the tour with more to come!

• Darigold Farmalicious tour at Coldstream Farms in Deming, WA
• It’s Farmalicious! A tour of Coldstream Farms, Deming Washington

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• News & Analysis on the Dairy Industry & Markets

Darigold to build new protein and butter plant in Washington state

05-Jul-2021 - Last updated on 05-Jul-2021 at 10:28 GMT

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When operational, the company said it will cut per unit emissions by 25% compared its existing baseline.

“Our producers have been at the vanguard of the dairy sector for over 100 years, constantly building on their outstanding record of sustainability and stewardship practices,” ​ said Stan Ryan, president and CEO of Darigold.

“They are proud to boost the co-op’s competitiveness with this future-forward investment in a next-generation dairy facility, preserving the legacy of nearly 350 multigenerational farms.” ​

Part of the Seattle-based organization’s wider transformation and trade-intensive growth plan, the specialized 400,000-square-foot protein and butter facility will incorporate a variety of technologies and conservation strategies that combined could mitigate more than 300,000 metric tons of CO 2 ​e per year.

Darigold will deploy anaerobic digestion technology as part of the on-site wastewater treatment strategy and use the extracted methane as a natural gas substitute, reducing fossil fuel use. This will be complemented by machinery enabling heat and energy recovery and reuse. In addition, the new infrastructure is designed to accommodate future electric vehicles, including a potential conversion of a large fleet of semi-trucks — further reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Darigold to Pasco and the Reimann as the anchor tenant in the Port’s largest industrial park. It’s incredibly rare to attract a project of this size and scope,” ​ said Randy Hayden, the Port of Pasco’s executive director.

“Darigold’s state-of-the-art facility will use the latest technology, serve as a model of sustainability, and create a new market for our region’s ag producers.” ​

As well as investing approximately $500m in the project, Darigold is expecting to create more than 1,000 onsite and indirect supply chain and services jobs. Initial site development is expected to start in early 2022 with full commercial production targeted for late 2023 or early 2024.

Construction of the facility and the Port of Pasco agreement are contingent upon fair and equitable treatment under all new Washington state environmental legislation, which the company is currently assessing.

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About Darigold

The Darigold brand legacy began in 1918.

Headquartered in Seattle, Darigold, Inc. is the marketing and processing subsidiary of the Northwest Dairy Association (NDA), which is owned by about 300 dairy farm families in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. One of the largest US dairy processors, Darigold produces a full line of dairy-based products for retail, foodservice, commodity and specialty markets. We operate 11 plants throughout the Northwest, with another one under construction.

A Darigold year involves a lot of milk, butter, cheese and plenty of coffee with cream to keep us fueled for the 24-7-365 effort it takes to get milk and dairy products from farm to fridge.

• Darigold employs more than 1,900 people
• Darigold handles nearly 10 billion pounds of milk annually
• We operate 11 processing facilities located in close proximity to the roughly  300 northwest dairy farms that supply the milk.
• Those plants turn milk into hundreds of  different dairy products  from fresh local favorites like 2% cottage cheese, to ingredient milk powders.
• Darigold sends upward of 40 percent of its production to customers in about 30 foreign markets, the largest being Mexico.

Darigold Inc. (Sunnyside, WA)

Company profile, additional information.

• Plant Number: 53-09

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• Dry Milk (nonfat & whole)
• Condensed Buttermilk or Buttermilk Product
• Condensed Milk & Milk Products
• Condensed Skim Milk
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• Whey Protein Concentrate

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Updated: Darigold picks Pasco for $500M protein and butter plant

Darigold Inc. will build its largest ever milk drying plant in Pasco, cementing the city’s status as one of the Northwest’s leading centers for food processing.

If completed,150 acres at the Port of Pasco's future Reimann Industrial Center off Highway 395 will become home to the largest protein and butter plant of its type in North America. The 400,000-square-foot facility will cost an estimated $450 million to $500 million to construct.

The port's three-member commission approved a $3.3 million purchase and sale agreement with the Seattle-based dairy cooperative at a special meeting July 1 after a year of negotiating under the name "Project Ruby."

"Darigold's state-of-the-art facility will use the latest technology, serve as a model of sustainability and create a new market for our region's ag producers," said Randy Hayden, executive director for the port.

The agreement gives Darigold 180 days to conduct due diligence. Notably, it is scrutinizing  Washington’s aggressive carbon pricing policy to combat climate change. The policy sets the goal of net zero emissions from industry by 2050 and echoes Darigold’s own goal to become carbon-neutral by 2050, which it announced in 2020.  

Until rules to implement the new carbon regulations are written, it is unclear how they will impact Darigold’s reported $2 billion business.  

"It’s a mystery,” said Hayden, who added that Darigold's proposed plant is the single largest project the port has ever welcomed.

Darigold is the processing and marketing arm of the Northwest Dairy Association, which is owned by  350  dairy enterprises in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.  

Its 11 plants, including one in Sunnyside, process more than 100 billion pounds of milk annually into dairy products sold in groceries, including Costco, restaurants and other outlets.  

Hayden called the deal the headline of the year, but cautioned against celebrating before the due diligence period concludes and the deal closes. He expects that to happen by the end of the year.  

Stan Ryan, president and CEO of Darigold, said the protein and butter operation in Pasco will help the company meet its carbon neutrality goals.

The plant will cut  greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation and employ cutting-edge technologies to cut per unit emissions by a quarter. The company said the strategies could mitigate more than 300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

The Darigold project covers half the 300 acres in the port’s future Reimann Industrial Park property. The plant would be operational by Labor Day 2023.  

The port moved to establish a new park on the success of the nearby Pasco Processing Center, home to major food processors. In 2018, it paid $6.5 million for 300 acres of farmland and associated water just east of the processing center. Reimann is named to honor Ron Reimann, the late port commissioner who died in a vehicle accident at his farm.  

Hayden said Darigold is the only firm that has committed to Reimann to date, though other potential candidates have “kicked the tires.”  

The $22,000 per acre price-tag is what the port paid. The deal includes water rights and the center pivot irrigation system that waters the alfalfa growing there now. Darigold is expected to take the entire circle out of agriculture production.  

Hayden said discussions with Darigold began about a year ago and coincided with the port’s efforts to plan the future development. It will cost nearly $16 million to bring roads, water, sewer and a rail spur to the site. The port will initiate work when the Darigold deal closes.  

Funding includes a $7.5 million appropriation in the state’s biannual capital budget, approved by the Legislature this year if the port inked a deal for a “large food processor” by late 2023. Hayden said the port will leverage local dollars reserved for economic development to round out the budget.   

Darigold may be eligible for economic incentive funds from the Governor’s Strategic Reserve as well, though none had been confirmed as of late June. The governor’s office was not immediately available to confirm if it is considering an award to Darigold.  

Darigold expects its newest plant to be fully operational by 2023 and to employ 200 in addition to the 1,700-plus it already employees. It will support more than 1,000 jobs in related industries in the supply chain.

The city of Pasco will provide water and sewer service to the plant, which will tap into an existing natural gas line that crosses the property already.  

Darigold will split its wastewater stream with half going to the city’s industrial wastewater processing reuse facility and half to the municipal treatment plant, which is undergoing an expansion to accommodate Pasco’s growth. The company will construct a wintertime wastewater retention pond to hold waste during the cold season when it cannot be sprayed on fields.  

The food processing industry employs 47,000 people in Washington at 1,765 firms with a combined annual payroll in excess of $2 billion, according to Food Northwest, an industry association.

Franklin County, the city of Pasco and the Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) supported the effort to bring Darigold to the Mid-Columbia. 

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Why Darigold is right for Your operation

Darigold milk has been proudly produced by the Northwest Dairy Association since 1918. Milk produced in our COOP of our family farms is different and better with higher solids and fat content due to the region’s natural optimal weather.

Customers generally agree that our exclusively Northwest raw materials, farmer-owned values, sustainability practices and local supply base make Darigold their brand of choice for quality, performance, and value.

Offering the broadest dairy portfolio and the highest brand recognition and satisfaction (94%) in the great Northwest, we are well-positioned to serve your foodservice needs. Darigold and the farmer owners of the NDA are continuously striving to improve the freshness and quality of products while also seeking to become Green House Gas Neutral by 2050 through various farm-level innovations that support our local communities. We have won five national U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards for our ongoing stewardship efforts.

Darigold is a proud partner to our customers, offering them consultative solutions, test products, and the ability to access our QA leadership to address any quality concerns. We’d be happy to help you identify the best products for your foodservice operation, and we look forward to any opportunity to do so.

Darigold is committed to being green house gas neutral by 2050.

Darigold and the Northwest Dairy Association (NDA) recently pledged to neutralize our greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. By investing in renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency programs, promoting farm-level carbon sequestration projects, and modernizing our processing and transportation network, our Northwest farmer-owned cooperative is determined to offset the greenhouse gas emissions of our entire enterprise — from farm to consumer product.

What is the Northwest Dairy Association?

The Northwest Dairy Association’s story spans over 100 years — from the days when farmers milked small herds by hand to today’s dairies that incorporate a variety of innovative new technologies and farm practices to improve cow comfort and other on-farm efficiencies. The dairy farm cooperative that is now known as the Northwest Dairy Association was founded by farmers in 1918 to address marketing challenges they faced. Darigold is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Northwest Dairy Association.

Where are the Northwest Dairy Association farms?

Northwest Dairy Association farms are located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.

Darigold plant locations are:

• Lynden, WA : Milk Proteins
• Seattle, WA : Fresh Milk
• Issaquah, WA : Cultured + Butter
• Spokane, WA : Fresh Milk
• Chehalis, WA : Milk Proteins
• Sunnyside, WA : Cheese
• Portland, OR : ESL Milk
• Caldwell, ID : Butter + Milk Proteins
• Boise, ID : Fresh, ESL and UHT Milk
• Jerome, ID : Condensed + UF Milk + Milk Proteins
• Bozeman, MT : Fresh Milk

What is the history of the Northwest Dairy Association and Darigold?

Darigold is the marketing and processing subsidiary of the Northwest Dairy Association, a farmer-owned and led cooperative founded in 1918 by a small group of Washington farmers. Today we are owned by over 300 dairy farm families who are scattered across Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

How is Darigold investing in sustainability?

NDA’s farmer-owners share a commitment to caring for the land, animals and people that make up their farm. Learn more about their environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives .

How is Darigold investing in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)?

Devoted to representing an equal and shared voice for our talented women, WE2 (Women Empowered & Engaged) provides valuable resources that empower women to succeed, grow in their careers and engage community partners committed to female leadership.

POC+A (People of Color & Allies) helps drive an inclusive organizational culture that values diverse backgrounds, shares ideas, helps accomplish business goals, and increases employee engagement.

Why is the Northwest the best place to produce milk?

The Northwest cooler climate is comfortable for cows. The local climate and proximity gives the best opportunity for better feed and beneficial production due to lower distribution and greater cow comfort. Milk is better from the Northwest.

Do Darigold farmers use antibiotics?

Darigold cows are only treated with antibiotics when necessary. When illness requires that a cow be treated, antibiotics are administered according strict FDA guidelines, which include withholding milk from sale. When a cow’s milk is withheld, she is given special care and attention separate from the rest of milking herd until her milk tests free of antibiotics.

Does Darigold distribute directly to restaurants?

Darigold distributes to foodservice operators through a strong network of distributor partner customers across the Northwest, California, Alaska, and Hawaii. Please reach out our customer service team at 800-333-6455 to discover a distributor local to you that distributes Darigold products.

Are Darigold Foodservice products the same as consumer products?

Yes, a high percentage of Darigold products are sold in both the foodservice and retail channels. There are specific bulk products that are foodservice only.

Can I order Darigold foodservice items online?

Unfortunately, there is not an opportunity to buy Darigold Away From Home (foodservice) products online today. Please call us at 800-333-6455 to find a distributor local to you that distributes Darigold products.

Where are Darigold products offered?

Darigold products are offered across a variety of foodservice distributors across the Northwest, California, Alaska, and Hawaii. Please call 800-333-6455 to find a distributor local to you that distributes Darigold products.

Contact a Darigold Representative

Send us a message or give us a call 800-333-6455

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