Timeline, Post-1968

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.