Butter in the News
News
February 24, 2017
Butter’s Epic Backstory… “Perhaps most surprising is the story of butter’s sacred and supernatural past. For many ancient civilizations, the unexplained mystery behind milk’s transformation into butter made it seem magical.”
December 23, 2016
WOOD TV8–White House turns to local company on hiring felons.
“I think employment is so important to the success of returning citizens,” said Bonnie Mroczek the Chief Talent Officer at Butterball Farms.
December 13, 2016
“Grand Rapids-based Butterball Farms, a manufacturer of premium tabletop butters, and Battle Creek-based Kellogg Company said this month they’ve joined with the Obama administration and more than 300 U.S. companies to launch the Fair Chance Business Pledge.”
West Michigan Companies Sign ‘Second Chance’ Pledge for Ex-Criminals.
December 1, 2016
Butterball® Farms, Inc., America’s leading manufacturer of premium, tabletop butters, announces that it has joined with the Obama Administration and over 300 companies from across the American economy as a founding partner for the launch of the Fair Chance Business Pledge. This pledge represents a call-to-action for all members of the private sector to improve their communities by eliminating barriers for those with a criminal record and create a pathway for a second chance.
THE FAIR CHANCE BUSINESS PLEDGE
Butterball® Farms, Inc. applauds the growing number of public and private sector organizations nationwide who are taking action to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to succeed, including individuals who have had contact with the criminal justice system. When almost 70 million Americans – nearly one in three adults – have a criminal record, it is important to remove unnecessary barriers that may prevent these individuals from gaining access to employment, training, education and other basic tools required for success in life. We are committed to providing individuals with criminal records, including formerly incarcerated individuals, a fair chance to participate in the American economy.
By signing the Fair Chance Business Pledge, Butterball® Farms, Inc. is voicing strong support for economic opportunity for all, including those American who have some form of a criminal record.
October 25, 2016
Effective November 1, 2016, Butterball® Farms, Inc. is pleased to announce the sale of Stirling Creamery®, in Stirling, Ontario, to Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited (Gay Lea Foods), headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario.
Butterball Farms, Inc. acquired the creamery from the West family who established it in 1925. Under the innovative leadership of the Butterball Farms team, Stirling Creamery developed a range of artisanal crafted natural and flavored butters, including CHURN84® European-style butters, whey butter, Stirling Premium Balls®, and a variety of flavored medallions and spreads for foodservice applications. Stirling Creamery’s award-winning, premium butter collection will be a great addition to Gay Lea’s growing portfolio of innovative and consumer-sought brands.
QUICK FACTS
- Stirling Creamery has approximately 25 employees, most based in Stirling, Ontario, with additional sales staff in the Greater Toronto Area.
- Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Gay Lea Foods is a leader in the Canadian dairy industry and the co-operative sector, with more than 900 employees working in production facilities across Ontario.
- Gay Lea Foods has been growing steadily through a number of acquisitions in recent years, including Black River Cheese (2016), Hewitt’s Dairy (2014), Salerno Dairy (2014) and Ivanhoe Cheese (2008).
- Gay Lea Foods also recently acquired shares in Mariposa Dairy Ltd, which produces high quality goat and sheep cheeses using 100% Ontario fresh goat and sheep milk for Canadian and U.S. markets.
- Gay Lea Foods intends to maintain full operations at the Stirling plant and preserve all relationships with existing Stirling Creamery customers, suppliers and employees.
QUOTES
“Stirling Creamery, like our co-operative, has a strong and rich history in the province of Ontario. With this acquisition, we continue the tradition of supporting family farms in Ontario while further strengthening Gay Lea Foods’ presence in the Canadian dairy industry.”
– Steve Dolson, Chair, Gay Lea Foods
“This announcement is an exciting next chapter for Stirling Creamery, bringing together two companies with a shared commitment to producing high quality dairy products while working to enrich the lives of their employees, members, neighbors and communities. We look forward to working with Gay Lea Foods as Stirling Creamery becomes part of this successful and growing Canadian co-operative, and we wish them all the best as they pursue innovation, growth and new opportunities!”
– Mark Peters, CEO Stirling Creamery, Butterball Farms
“Gay Lea Foods is committed to growing the market for Canadian dairy and we are pleased to welcome such a well-respected brand into our dairy co-operative. We look forward to new opportunities as we continue to focus on growing a strong, sustainable dairy industry that delivers innovative, market-driven dairy products.”
– Michael Barrett, President and CEO, Gay Lea Foods
The sale further positions Butterball Farms, Inc. as the leading manufacturer of specialty butters in the U.S. marketplace, and will allow Butterball Farms to focus on its growing domestic business.
Butterball® Farms, Inc., located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is North America’s leading producer of artisan-quality, embossed tabletop butters, and premium compound butters.
For more information, please contact Vicki Stein, Marketing Manager, at 616.243.0105, or via email at Vicki.S@ButterballFarms.com.
October 6, 2016
Butterball Farms uses the power of its corporate culture to make a significant impact.
Forty-five percent of its workforce are “returning citizens,” or individuals who previously have been incarcerated. Individuals who many organizations would never consider for employment. Individuals for whom even getting an interview can be mission impossible.
Peters says his company’s commitment to work with returning citizens is just good business. “The epiphany to overcome this stigma goes back to the 90s,” he explains. “We had a tight labor market, and we had a couple of guys on the work release program. They were great workers. Every day they were here. That began our work with returning citizens. It was not an altruistic motivation at first. It was a tight labor market. We started out needing people and found this talent pool.”
Now, Peters is a vocal advocate for hiring returning citizens and regularly meets with other businesses to share his experiences and to offer advice. “People talk about what needs to be done (with employing returning citizens), and nothing gets done. We just did it. People make all these assumptions about these individuals. The prison system has done a good job with job readiness. When you do hire, they are not always a perfect hire, but neither is anyone else. Statistically, we have found when you make it through orientation, they have a much better retention rate.”
It’s not that hard, says Peters, and he shares a simple comment made by one of his formerly incarcerated employees. “I asked why he liked to work here. He said, ‘We don’t get treated any different.’”
September 26, 2016
May 8, 2015
6 Reasons Why Butter Is Good For You
March 22, 2015
For some at Easter, it’s not the ham… it’s the butter lamb
September 22, 2014
“Why People Are Putting Butter In Their Coffee”
September 16, 2014
September 6, 2014
“Better With Butter? Here’s Why Americans Are Consuming More”