Kawartha Dairy Company facts for kids
The Kawartha Dairy Company is a Canadian family-run business. It makes delicious milk, cream, and ice cream. This dairy company started in 1937. It is located in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, in a beautiful area called Kawartha Lakes. Kawartha Dairy sells its products in many stores. They also have their own special shops across Ontario.
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How Kawartha Dairy Started
In 1937, Jack and Ila Crowe bought a small dairy in Bobcaygeon. Jack had enjoyed working at another dairy before this. They started making and selling milk products right away. To keep things cold, they used ice from nearby Pigeon Lake.
In 1942, Kawartha Dairy grew bigger. They bought other dairies in the town. They stored their products in large steel containers. These were delivered by wagon or boat in summer. In winter, they used sleighs to get products to nearby areas.
In the mid-1950s, Jack Crowe learned how to make ice cream. He took special courses at the University of Guelph. Ice cream soon became one of Kawartha Dairy's most famous items. In the early 1960s, the company opened its first retail store in Minden.
Growing Bigger and Better
By 2008, Kawartha Dairy had five retail stores. These were all located in central Ontario. In 2010, the company received money from the Ontario government. This money helped them make their Bobcaygeon plant bigger and better. They added new production systems and created ten new jobs.
In August 2017, they received more funding. This helped them expand their storage and refrigeration areas. It was the biggest expansion in the company's history at that time.
By 2012, Kawartha Dairy had eight retail stores. They also continued their wholesale business. In 2016, a ninth store opened in Orillia. By May 2018, a tenth store opened in Newmarket. The company employs many people. About 145 staff work there all year. In summer, when it's busy, they hire about 100 more people.
In 2013, Kawartha Dairy started selling products in grocery stores. They put pictures of Ontario's countryside on their packaging. This reminded people of cottage country. In 2015, their package design won a special award.
In 2017, Kawartha Dairy celebrated 80 years in business. That same year, they received more funding. This helped them expand their operations even more. They also added new products to their line.
Where to Find Kawartha Dairy Stores
Kawartha Dairy has many retail stores. You can buy ice cream and other dairy products there. Here are some of the places you can find them:
- Bancroft, Ontario
- Barrie, Ontario
- Bobcaygeon, Ontario
- Burlington, Ontario
- Cobourg, Ontario
- Huntsville, Ontario
- Lindsay, Ontario
- Minden, Ontario
- Newmarket, Ontario
- Orillia, Ontario
- Ottawa, Ontario
- Peterborough, Ontario
- Toronto, Ontario
- Uxbridge, Ontario
Delicious Products
Some of Kawartha Dairy's most loved products are its ice cream, chocolate milk, and eggnog. You can buy these in their own stores. They are also sold in other stores across Ontario. The company always uses fresh milk and cream from Ontario. Most of their milk comes from farms near Bobcaygeon.
In February 2018, Kawartha Dairy worked with Muskoka Brewery. They made a special beer based on Kawartha Dairy's Salty Caramel Truffle ice cream. It was a limited-edition drink. In the summer of 2018, the company started offering edible candy spoons. This helps reduce waste and is better for the environment.
