1968-69 – Tillamook County Creamery Association reorganized as a producer cooperative
1969 – All small cheese factories in Tillamook County were closed for environmental and efficiency reasons; all milk was then processed at the large factory north of Tillamook
1970 – Oregon established a statewide quota system
1987 – Oregon’s statewide quota system ended
1987 – Warren McMinimee, long-time attorney for Tillamook County Creamery, died
1989 – Beale Dixon died
2000 – Tillamook County Creamery bought Bandon cheese brand in Bandon, Oregon, then closed it but retained the brand name
2001 – Tillamook County Creamery established the Columbia River Processing Plant near Boardman, Oregon
2002 – George Milne died
2004 – Tillamook County Creamery told its member farmers to stop using rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), a decision upheld by the members in 2005
2013 – Boardman-area dairies began supplying more than half of Tillamook’s milk and the facility began making the vast majority of Tillamook’s cheeses (including all shredded and sliced products) plus cheese labeled Bandon
2019 – Tillamook County Creamery was sued for deceptive marketing practices. At first, the class action lawsuit did not reach a courtroom but in August 2022, the judge modified the lawsuit to narrow the definition of who could participate in the class action lawsuit. It is awaiting a decision by the Oregon Supreme Court.
2021 – Tillamook County Creamery earned a Certified B Corporation designation
2021 – Tillamook purchased a closed Wisconsin cheese factory for $4 million. No plans were announced for the 117-acre site in Chilton, north of Milwaukee
2024 – Tillamook bought a closed ice cream plant in Decatur, Illinois and began remodeling it. A $7 million investment by Cinnaire has led to a predicted Spring 2025 opening. It will be Tillamook’s first facility outside of Oregon (although subcontractors have long produced yogurt, butter and ice cream), and the first dedicated to manufacturing ice cream.
