Purity Dairies facts for kids
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Formerly
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Ezell's Dairy (1926–46) |
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Dairy |
| Fate | Acquired by Dean Foods in 1998 |
| Founded | 1926 |
| Founder | Miles Ezell |
| Headquarters | Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
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Key people
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Mark Ezell, president |
| Products | Milk, sour cream, cheese, butter, ice cream, juices, bottled water |
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Number of employees
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500+ |
| Parent | Dean Foods |
Purity Dairies is a well-known dairy company based in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. It was once called Ezell's Dairy. The Ezell family still helps run the company today. Purity Dairies sells its products across Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky.
This company is part of Dean Foods. Purity Dairies makes many different products. These include milk, ice cream, orange juice, lemonade, tea, and bottled water. They are also one of the few places that still sell the famous Nutty Buddy ice cream cone!
Contents
The Story of Purity Dairies
How It All Began
The story of Purity Dairies started in 1926. A man named Miles Ezell rented a dairy farm from Dr. C.N. Cowden. After a year, Miles Ezell bought the farm. He named his new business Ezell's Dairy.
In the 1940s, many small dairies had to close. This was because new rules required milk to be pasteurized. Ezell's Dairy was one of the few that managed to stay open.
Becoming Purity Dairies
In 1945, the farm closed down for a short time. But Miles Ezell got a special loan for small businesses. He bought a milk plant and joined with another company called Rosebank Dairies.
Then, in 1946, the company officially became "Purity Dairies." A person named Albert Gasser joined as President. He helped Purity become the main milk producer in middle Tennessee.
New Ideas and Famous Ads
Purity Dairies was always trying new things. They were one of the first to use special filters for making cottage cheese. This helped the cottage cheese stay fresh for much longer!
They were also pioneers in packaging. Purity was the first to use paper cartons without wax. They also used opaque (not see-through) gallon containers for milk.
Purity Dairies was also known for its fun commercials. They used an actor named Jim Varney. He played a funny character called Ernest P. Worrell. These ads helped Purity sell more products and made Ernest a famous advertising icon!
Growing the Company
In the mid-1950s, Purity Dairies started a sales team. At first, it was just one person! Later, more sales people joined. They helped Purity sell more products to stores.
In the late 1980s, Purity worked with Blue Bell creameries. They created a new ice cream together. This ice cream quickly became the most popular in the area!
Joining Dean Foods
In 1998, a larger company called Dean Foods bought Purity Dairies. However, members of the Ezell family, who started the company, are still involved. They help manage Purity Dairies even today!
