Tillamook

At college in North Carolina my friend (now wife) lost her damn mind when she saw a block of Tillamook cheese at the Harris Teeter. People from the PNW are fiercely loyal to this farmer owned dairy co-op. I’ve worked with Tillamook on various projects over the past few years, but it wasn’t until I began to work with their Stewardship team that I fully understood why they’ve earned such loyalty.

Dairy isn’t exactly a “climate friendly” industry. But while many other dairy companies shrug their shoulders and say “well, what are you gonna do?” Tillamook puts in the work to live up to their motto “Do Right By Every Bite.” I’ve helped tell that story through their annual Stewardship Report, where the company comes together to celebrate their sustainability progress, hold themselves accountable for any shortfalls, and shine a spotlight on people in the company taking the initiative and making an impact wherever they see fit.

The annual report is a massive undertaking spanning months of planning, identifying stories to highlight, and interviewing employees across the company. I have to educate myself on topics as varied as estuary health, rural daycare costs, soil carbon content, food bank politics, and R99 diesel fuel. Then, finally, the writing. The final, 5,000+ word report paints the picture of a company dedicated to continual, incremental progress across every department.