News
News Releases
Lactalis Canada’s Digital Labs Makes Open Call to Customers for Co-Development Opportunities
February 15, 2024
Lactalis Canada is advancing its digital capability through Lactalis Labs (LLabs), a dedicated hub focused on digital transformation.
Lactalis Canada Announces New Sales Leadership Appointments
February 12, 2024
Lactalis Canada, the Canadian dairy leader behind iconic brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia and a subsidiary of France-based Lactalis Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of four new leaders to its Customer Sales Team. These new appointments follow an enhanced commercial structure focused on improving internal efficiencies and building stronger customer partnerships.
Lactalis Canada’s Blue Cow lineup grows as it adds Dairy Farmers of Canada’s iconic logo to Lactantia butter products
February 7, 2024
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) and Lactalis Canada are pleased to announce that DFC's iconic Blue Cow logo will appear on Lactantia butter products.
Lactalis Foodservice Launches Galbani Professionale Premio Pizza Mozzarella in Canada
January 24, 2024
Lactalis Canada Foodservice is pleased to announce the launch of Galbani Professionale Premio Pizza Mozzarella in Canada.
Lactalis Canada Donates Over Eight Tonnes of Olympic Yogourt to Ontario and British Columbia Food Banks
December 6, 2023
Valued at over $67,000, this year's Olympic Organic donation will once again help support communities in need this holiday season with the delivery of 12,400 tubs of nutritious Olympic yogourt
Lactalis Canada Announces 2023 NEXT Ventures Innovation Competition Winning Project
December 4, 2023
Digital innovation at the forefront of this year’s competition focused on continuous improvement
Lactalis Canada Wins Gordon Food Service North America Cornerstone Award for Best in Class Supplier
November 20, 2023
Lactalis Canada Wins Gordon Food Service North America Cornerstone Award for Best in Class Supplier
Lactalis Canada Foodservice Partners with Association of Italian Chefs of Canada (AICC)
October 12, 2023
Lactalis Canada Foodservice and the Association of Italian Chefs of Canada (AICC) are pleased to announce a new partnership which will see Lactalis Canada’s Galbani Professionale brand as the official sponsor.
Lactalis Canada Announces Appointment of Tom Szostok as Senior Vice President of Sales
October 10, 2023
Lactalis Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Szostok to the position of Senior Vice President, Sales, effective October 10, 2023.
Lactalis Canada Invests in New Distribution Centre in Oshawa, Ontario
September 19, 2023
Lactalis Canada today announced that it is entering into a long-term lease for a new distribution centre located in Oshawa, Ontario, principally for its cheese and tablespreads supply chain network.
Lactalis Canada Ranked One of Most Trusted Brands in Canada and #1 in Dairy on 2023 Gustavson Brand Trust Index
August 31, 2023
Lactalis Canada has once again been ranked one of the Most Trusted Brands in Canada and #1 in the Dairy Products and Alternatives category on the 2023 Gustavson Brand Trust Index (GBTI), a consumer trust study conducted by the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria in British Columbia.
Lactalis Canada Recognized with Two Canadian Grocer Impact Awards for Supporting Employees and Community Service
August 15, 2023
Lactalis Canada, the Canadian dairy leader behind iconic brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia and a subsidiary of France-based Lactalis Group, is proud to be recognized with two 2023 Canadian Grocer Impact awards in the Supporting Employees and Community Service categories.
Lactalis Canada’s Yogourt Brands Support Kids Help Phone with New Back to School “Snack & Give” Campaign
August 8, 2023
Lactalis Canada, the Canadian dairy leader and subsidiary of France-based Lactalis Group, is thrilled to announce that its iÖGO, iÖGO nanö, Astro, Olympic and siggi’s brands have teamed up in support of Kids Help Phone with the launch of a new philanthropic driven campaign called “Snack & Give” in market nationally throughout the back-to-school period from August 7 to September 24, 2023.
Lactalis Canada Acquires Premium Dessert Manufacturer Marie Morin Canada
August 1, 2023
Lactalis Canada today announced that it has reached an agreement with Marie Morin Canada to acquire its business based in Canada*. The acquisition will see Lactalis Canada entering the dessert category, in both the Canadian and U.S. markets, and joins Lactalis Canada’s extensive dairy portfolio of cheese, tablespreads, yogourt and fluid brands.
Lactalis Canada’s Mark Taylor Named 2023 Most Influential CEO – Toronto Food & Beverage Manufacturing by CEO Monthly Magazine
July 6, 2023
Lactalis Canada, the Canadian dairy leader behind iconic brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia and a subsidiary of France-based Lactalis Group, is pleased to announce Lactalis Canada President & CEO Mark Taylor has been named Most Influential CEO 2023 – Toronto Food & Beverage Manufacturing by international publication CEO Monthly Magazine.
Lactalis Canada Releases 2022 ESG Report
May 3, 2023
Lactalis Canada today released Lactalis Canada’s 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report which highlights the company’s drive to embed real and meaningful change across the organization and contribute to the wellbeing of the people, planet and communities it serves.
Lactalis Canada Announces Appointment of Nathalie Cusson as General Manager of its Fluid Division
May 2, 2023
Lactalis Canada is pleased to announce the promotion of Nathalie Cusson to the position of General Manager of its Fluid Division effective May 1, 2023.
Lactalis Canada’s Astro Original Brand Underscores Its True Simplicity in New Campaign
March 20, 2023
We have launched a new marketing campaign for Astro Original aimed to celebrate its 50-years of expertise in making natural, simple and high-quality yogourt.
Lactalis Canada NEXT Ventures Inaugural Innovation Program Selects Winning Project
February 8, 2023
Crowdsourcing program draws over 100 submissions geared toward waste reduction.
Lactalis Canada Announces Appointment of Alexander Benedet as Vice President, Customer Strategy & Development
January 9, 2023
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Alexander Benedet to the position of Vice President, Customer Strategy & Development.
Lactalis Canada Foodservice Joins Canadian Culinary Federation as National Dairy Partner
December 6, 2022
We are pleased to announce a new national partnership aimed at delivering excellence in foodservice.
Lactalis Canada’s Khaas and siggi’s Brands Add Renowned Dairy Farmers of Canada Blue Cow Logo
September 27, 2022
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) and Lactalis Canada are pleased to announce that DFC’s Blue Cow Logo will now appear on the company’s Khaas Dahi and Khaas Halal and siggi’s yogourt products.
Lactalis Canada to Expand Plant-Based Offering with New Converted Production Facility in Sudbury, Ontario
August 10, 2022
Lactalis Canada is pleased to announce that the company will be expanding its plant-based product offering with its existing Sudbury, Ontario plant converted into a modern, dedicated plant-based production facility over the coming months.
Lactalis Canada Takes Top Honours at the 2022 American Cheese Society Judging & Competition
August 4, 2022
Lactalis Canada received top spots at the 2022 American Cheese Society (ACS) Judging & Competition on July 21, 2022 in Portland, Oregon.
Lactalis Canada Wins International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Award of Excellence
June 30, 2022
We have received the prestigious IABC Gold Quill Award of Excellence in the Special and Experiential Events category for the company’s inaugural Lactalis Canada #Connect 2021 all-employee virtual event.
Lactalis Canada Releases 2021 ESG Report
May 25, 2022
2021 ESG Report highlights company progress on goals and commitments in driving meaningful change.
Lactalis Canada Partners with South Nation Conservation to Create 12-Acre Forest
May 9, 2022
Partnership features 10,000 trees at Lactalis Canada’s Winchester site.
Lactalis Canada Recognizes Earth Day with New Innovation Program, Focused on Waste Reduction in 2022
April 22, 2022
Lactalis Canada NEXT Ventures designed to spur and accelerate future thinking, innovation and creativity.
Lactalis Canada Announces Appointment of Stephane Chatel as Vice President, Quality Assurance
April 6, 2022
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Stephane Chatel to the position of Vice President, Quality Assurance, effective April 4, 2022.
Lactalis Canada Named on the Forbes 2022 List of Canada’s Best Employers for Second Consecutive Year
January 26, 2022
We are proud to be named on the Forbes List of Canada’s Best Employers for 2022.
Lactalis Canada and Mapleview Agri Donate 24,500 Kilograms of Formula for Calves to Help Support B.C. Dairy Farms Recovering from Flooding Disaster
January 7, 2022
24,500 kilograms of milk replacer to be delivered to B.C. dairy farms mid-January to nourish calves for over two months.
Highlights
What We Stand For
Mark Taylor Addresses Southwestern Ontario Dairy Farmers at Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium
February 22, 2024
Lactalis Canada President & CEO Mark Taylor addressed several hundred Ontario Dairy Farmers and members of the dairy industry at the Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium in Woodstock, Ontario hosted by Dairy Farmers of Ontario and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Through a lively discussion moderated by Gilles Froment, Senior Vice President, Government and Industry Affairs, Lactalis Canada, Mark highlighted the importance Lactalis Canada places on our partnership with farmers to strengthen the overall industry in Canada and our common objectives on key issues such as sustainability, animal welfare, carbon reduction, dairy sector investment and the Grocery Code of Conduct in Canada.
Innovation
Federal Agriculture & Agri-Food Minister Announces Supply Management Processing Investment For Lactalis Canada Ingleside
February 5, 2024
Lactalis Canada was pleased to host the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (AAFC) at our Ingleside, Ontario plant, where he announced the Government of Canada’s $89M support to the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund. As a project beneficiary, Lactalis Canada is pleased to receive $3.343M from AAFC through this Fund, which coupled with Lactalis Group’s investment of more than $11M, will enable a modernization project that will see new cheese processing and packaging equipment at our Ingleside site.
#LactalisCanadaExperience
Lactalis Canada Announces Appointment of Tom Szostok as Senior Vice President of Sales
October 10, 2023
Lactalis Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Szostok to the position of Senior Vice President, Sales, effective October 10, 2023.
People
Dairy Exploration Day for Quebec Employees
October 5, 2023
Part of the Lactalis Canada employee experience places a strong emphasis on enhancing #OurPeople's understanding of our business. One of the ways we do this is through our employee dairy exploration day which offers an in-depth perspective on our supply chain, from farm to fork. On October 5, members from our various Quebec locations joined us for a fully immersive day that include a tour of our very own Montreal plant, a dairy facility and a visit to a local farm.
Environment
Lactalis Canada Joins World Cleanup Day 2023
September 28, 2023
Our dedicated Lactalis Canada team across the country joined hands with our colleagues at Lactalis Group worldwide for #WorldCleanupDay2023. This annual event serves as a rally call for people across the globe to showcase their commitment to our planet by coming together for a day to clean up litter from parks, beaches, lakes, rivers, and oceans. Here’s Team Lactalis Canada in action!
Business
Lactalis Canada Invests in New Distribution Centre in Oshawa, Ontario
September 19, 2023
Lactalis Canada is entering into a long-term lease for a new distribution centre located in Oshawa, Ontario, principally for its cheese and tablespreads supply chain network. Set to open in Q4 2024, the agreement was facilitated by CBRE Limited and the distribution centre will be developed, built, and leased by Broccolini with construction beginning immediately. The design of the facility was supported by GKC Architecture and Design.
Brand Awards
Lactalis Canada once again recognized as one of Most Trusted Brands in Canada and #1 in Dairy
August 31, 2023
Lactalis Canada has once again ranked one of the Most Trusted Brands in Canada and #1 in in the Dairy Products and Alternatives category on the 2023 Gustavson Brand Trust Index (GBTI) consumer trust study conducted by the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the @University of Victoria in British Columbia.
Business
Lactalis Canada Acquires Premium Dessert Manufacturer Marie Morin Canada
August 1, 2023
Lactalis Canada reached an agreement with Quebec-based dessert manufacturer Marie Morin Canada to to acquire its business based in Canada*. This acquisition marks Lactalis Canada’s entry into the dessert category, in both the Canadian and U.S. markets, with the addition of Marie Morin’s product line of premium desserts featuring the finest traditional recipes including its signature crème brûlée, chocolate mousse and cheesecakes. With this exciting news, we welcome 52 Marie Morin Canada employees and will also add Marie Morin’s production facility in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec to our operations.
Brand Awards
Brandspark’s 2023 Most Trusted Yogourt Brands
July 5, 2023
Lactalis Canada’s Astro (Balkan yogourt category), siggi’s (Icelandic skyr category), Olympic (Organic yogourt category) and Khaas (Halal yogourt category) have been named BrandSpark® ’s 2023 Most Trusted yogourt brands in Canada by the consumer-driven Most Trusted Awards.
Community
Lactalis Canada Supports Youth Mental Health at Annual Kids Help Phone Walk
May 7, 2023
As part of Lactalis Canada’s founding partnership with Kids Help Phone, we were proud to once again participate in the annual Walk so Kids Can Talk event held at various locations across Canada in support of youth mental health and wellbeing.
ESG
Lactalis Canada Recognizes Earth Day
April 22, 2023
For Earth Day 2023, Lactalis Canada is making a tree planting contribution to Tree Canada’s National Greening Program which has seen over 84 million trees planted across the country. The program, which includes tree-for-tree matching by the Government of Canada, provides first priority to plant on Indigenous and public lands, areas affected by natural or human-caused disasters and includes 1 , 2- and 5-year assessments to ensure the survivability of the trees. As part of our ESG commitment, Lactalis Canada is proud to support this program that restores forests and wildlife habitats, contributing to cleaner air, soil and waterways in Canada.
Innovation
VisionDairy Innovation Summit
March 10, 2023
We were pleased to host VisionDairy – our first innovation summit – to inspire, ignite and spur ideas around our brands and products. Members from various cross functional teams gathered at 100 QQE in downtown Toronto to hear from food and industry experts and futurists on various topics from building an innovation culture, megatrends and new culinary arts and science to what’s next in retail, emerging flavours, future tech and more.
Brand Awards
2023 Product of the Year Winner
February 3, 2023
Lactalis Canada’s Cracker Barrel cheese sauce kit Alfredo won the 2023 Product of the Year Canada – the largest consumer-voted award for product innovation – in the Soup & Sauces category.
People
Employee Farm & Plant Visit
November 17, 2022
We’re committed to providing our people across sites and functions with a deeper understanding of our business, including a view into our supply chain from farm to fork. Some employees had the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into dairy processing and farming with a full-day that included visiting one of our Ontario plants, product tasting, research facility and dairy farm.
Celebration
Victoriaville, Quebec Plant Celebrates 75 Years
November 11, 2022
In 2022, Lactalis Canada celebrates the 75th anniversary of our Victoriavile, Quebec plant - its rich history, beloved and iconic brands Lactantia and Ficello, its vital role as a valuable community member and most importantly its 500 member team.
Innovation
Lactalis Canada’s NEXT
November 4, 2022
Lactalis Canada’s NEXT Ventures is a brand new innovation program designed to spur and accelerate future thinking, innovation and creativity empowering our people and leveraging internal crowdsourcing to explore ideas and bring to market new products, processes, technologies or business models!
Awards & Distinctions
2024
Best New Product Awards
Siggi’s High Protein Yogurts: Banana & Raspberry
Balderson Mature Tasting Trio
Cracker Barrel Mediterranean Medley Blends
Cracker Barrel Signature Smoked Cheddar Range
2024
Product of the Year Canada
Cheese | Balderson Aged Gouda
Cheeseboard | Balderson Mature Tasting Trio
Kids Snacks | iÖGO nanö 900mL drinkable yogurt
2023
Product of the Year Canada
Cracker Barrel cheese sauce kit Alfredo
2023
Gordon Food Service Vendor Involvement Process Awards
Fruit, Vegetable and Dairy category
Lactalis Canada Foodservice recognized with Cornerstone Award for Best in Class Supplier
2023
#1
University of Victoria in British Columbia, 2023 Gustavson Brand Trust Index (GBTI)
Most Trusted Brands in Canada
#1 Dairy Products and Alternatives category
2023
Canadian Grocer Magazine Impact Award
Community Service
Lactalis Canada P’tit Quebec brand’s P’tits projets pas si P’tits community focused initiative
2023
Canadian Grocer Magazine Impact Award
Supporting Employees
Supporting Employees through the #LactalisExperience
2023
3rd
2023 American Cheese Society
Balderson Aged Cheddar – Mature Cheddar (Aged 48 or more months – all milks)
2023
Silver
Canadian Public Relations Society (Toronto Chapter) - Achieving Communications Excellence (ACE) Awards
Lactalis Canada’s iÖGO From Here For Here campaign in the Best Social Media Campaign and/or Best Use of Influencers category.
2023
BrandSpark® Most Trusted Yogourt Brands in Canada
Astro – Balkan Yogourt Category
siggi’s – Icelandic Skyr Category
Olympic – Organic Yogourt Category
Khaas – Halal Yogourt Category
2023
Best New Product Awards
Black Diamond 4 Cheese Sauce, Cracker Barrel Cheese Sauce Kit Alfredo and Balderson Smoked Gouda.
2022
Pinnacle Award
Supplier of the Year
Lactalis Canada Foodservice division
2022
Forbes 2022
Canada’s Best Employers
2022
Best New Product Awards Canada
Balderson Truffle Cheddar, Cracker Barrel Sweet Combo, Cracker Barrel Signature Blends, and Black Diamond Cheestrings Probiotic
2022
BrandSpark® Most Trusted Awards
1st Balderson – Premium Aged and Cheddar Cheese
2022
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Award of Excellence
Special and Experiential Events category
Inaugural Lactalis Canada #Connect all-employee virtual event!
2022
1st
2022 American Cheese Society
1st Balderson 5-Year-Old Cheddar Mature Cheddar – aged 48 or more months – all milks
1st Balderson Spreadable – Open Category – Cold-Pack and Club Cheeses – all milks
1st Lactantia Salted Butter – Butter with or without cultures – made from cow’s milk
1st Lactantia Unsalted Butter – Unsalted Butter with or without cultures – made from cow’s milk
2022
Canadian Grocer Magazine Impact Award
Community Service
Lactalis Canada P’tit Quebec brand’s P’tits projets pas si P’tits community focused initiative
2022
Gold
2022 Global Cheese Awards
Balderson 5 Year Aged Cheddar – Canadian Cheddar and Extra Mature Cheddar Category
2022
Ad Club of Toronto Award
Best Large Format Digital Board Campaign
Lactalis Canada’s Black Diamond Cheestrings Keep It Cheesy billboard campaign