In September 1965, Cheese & Dairy announced that Foremost Dairies would age and market Premium Brand cheese products. The amicable arrangement lasted through March 1967, when Cheese & Dairy repurchased its inventory so it could provide a greater return to its members. By then, Cheese & Dairy was looking for every possible financial advantage to… READ MORE
In 1965, Cheese & Dairy sued County Creamery, alleging accounting errors, such as being owed $1,782,655 in assets ($10,222,693 in 2025 dollars), $237,818 from cheese held and sold ($2,431,141), and $285,563 in debts ($2,919,223). (Credit: The Oregonian, 5.18.65) READ MORE
In 1961, Oregon dairy farmers hurriedly put together a legislative bid because the price for their milk had suddenly dropped 19 percent. Three hundred farmers encouraged legislators to pay attention by gathering one evening in Salem. The Producer Milk Stabilization Law, passed by the legislature in only 2.5 weeks, directed the Oregon Department of Agriculture… READ MORE
Cheese & Dairy’s board of directors hired an auditor and shared the results with the patrons in a Feb. 14, 1963 “Board Information” message. The auditors found numerous bookkeeping errors. Eight of the directors spent their own money to copy and mail the information. The entire letter is provided below. “February 14, 1963 To members… READ MORE
In late August 1963, two Red Clover Cheese Factory board members went to the Tillamook County Creamery Association’s office to retrieve their factory’s files. Bert Quick and Bass Tone were stopped by a guard and the association manager, Beale Dixon. TCCA, the marketing organization selling all of Tillamook’s cheese, including Red Clover’s, was storing each… READ MORE
After the large factory was built north of Tillamook in 1949, cheese was stored and aged uniformly in refrigerated rooms. Some of the wheels of cheese were being stored because production outstripped sales. Credit: (top) Northwest Digital Heritage; (bottom) Tacoma Public Library, D67477-89, Richards Studio READ MORE
In an early example of successful marketing of its Premium Brand, Cheese & Dairy sold a 10,000-pound wheel of cheese to a California grocery store in 1964. From left: Vern Lucas, George Milne, Bass Tone, and store owners. In the small image, the completed cheese is crated for shipping, and Bass Tone and the co-owner… READ MORE
Judge Bruce Thompson, from Reno, Nevada, heard the antitrust lawsuit filed by Cheese & Dairy against County Creamery. The judge’s complete post-trial statement is provided below. Some highlights: “…It is the present and the future that count. Put away your differences and your bitterness….There isn’t a court in the land or a law that can… READ MORE
Cheese & Dairy reached settlement terms with County Creamery in September 1968, ending the Cheese War. (Credit: Headlight-Herald) READ MORE
In this ad, the front of the Tillamook cheese factory was envisioned with the name of the owner of its cheese-making equipment written along the roof edge. However, the lettering wasn’t added. Inside the factory, Cheese & Dairy produced Premium Brand Cheese. (Credit: Headlight-Herald) READ MORE
