St-Albert Cheese Co-operative facts for kids
The St-Albert Cheese Co-operative (also known as Fromagerie St-Albert in French) is a special company in Ontario, Canada. It is run by its members, who are mostly Franco-Ontarians. This co-operative is famous for making cheese. It is one of the oldest co-ops in Canada. People especially love its cheddar cheese and the fresh curds used for poutine. The St-Albert Cheese Co-operative even won the Grand Champion award at the British Empire Cheese Shows in both 2013 and 2014.
Contents
History of the Co-op
How it Started
In January 1894, a group of cheese makers in St. Albert, Ontario decided to work together. They created a cheese-making co-operative. They called it "The St-Albert Co-Operative Cheese Manufacturing Association." Louis Génier led this group. Many other people helped start it, including Joseph Forgues and Jean-Baptiste Ouimet.
Changes Over Time
In 1931, the Co-op was sold to a private owner. But this change did not last long. In 1939, the workers of the Co-op raised $8,500. They bought the company back themselves. This showed how much they cared about their co-operative.
In 1995, Réjean Ouimet became the general manager. He was the great-grandson of Jean-Baptiste Ouimet, one of the founders. Réjean led the Co-op for 20 years.
In 2009, the Co-op bought another cheese factory. This factory was called Fromagerie Mirabel in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec. Later that year, the Co-op planned to make its buildings bigger. The government of Ontario helped with $1.4 million. This expansion was meant to double how much cheese they could make.
The Big Fire of 2013
On February 3, 2013, a big fire hit the Co-op. It caused a lot of damage to the buildings. Millions of dollars were lost, including over $3 million worth of cheese. Many old records of the Co-op were also destroyed. The mayor of The Nation, the town where St-Albert is, said it was like losing a piece of history.
After the fire, there was a shortage of cheese curds in Ontario. Other cheese factories in Quebec helped make more curds. This helped supply the region for a while. Some people even tried to sell St-Albert cheese online for much higher prices. A bag that usually cost $7 was sold for up to $55.
Many Co-op workers helped with the rebuilding. Some workers temporarily moved to other cheese factories. This helped them keep their jobs.
In 2014, the Co-op started making some cheese again at its site. By 2015, the rebuilt buildings were fully open. The government of Ontario also gave money to help with the rebuilding.
In March 2015, the Co-op announced a lawsuit. They sued some electric companies. They believed faulty electrical equipment caused the fire. They said the equipment was not made or installed correctly. They also claimed safety checks missed these problems.
By 2018, the Co-op was making as much cheese as it did before the fire.
After the Fire
In 2019, the Co-op celebrated its 125th birthday. They held several events in St-Albert. On September 25, 2019, a special monument was opened next to the Co-op. It celebrates Franco-Ontarian culture. The Co-op also received a $1.5 million grant to help with dairy processing.
In February 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, the Co-op had to close for a short time. Three workers tested positive for the illness. After more testing, the health unit said the outbreak was under control. The Co-op was able to open again in March 2021.
See also
- List of cooperatives
