Suppliers in Confectionery: Cheese

NZMP, which stands for New Zealand Milk Products, is the ingredients and solutions brand of dairy co-operative, Fonterra. We have one of the broadest ranges in the dairy industry; our ingredients are sold in over 130 countries and are used by some of the world’s most famous food and nutrition brands. Owned by 10,000 New Zealand farming families, NZMP are backed by Fonterra’s grass-fed farming heritage, passion for innovation, and leading processing and quality standards.

Vilvi Group is a TOP 5 dairy processor in Lithuania and is one of the most modern dairy product producers in Northern Europe. Approximately 80% of companies' turnover comes from export. “Verslo žinios“ announced the annual “Lithuanian business leaders 500“ list for 2019. Vilvi Group is in a TOP 100 of the list. “Investor of the year“ in 2016, “Packaging sector leader“ in 2016 (second place in environmental education initiative category), “Lithuanian export“ award in 2017, “Annual cultural sponsor“ in 2018 are only a few awards won by the company. The brand name “Vilkyškių pieninė“ has won an annual award “Brand of the year“ in 2013 and 2015. Company products receive the “Most popular goods“ award in their respected categories annualy. Vilvi Group follows the highest quality standards in European Union as well as the regulatory food safety and quality rules. Factories of the Group are ISO22000 and FSSC quality certified. Vilvi Group processing plants are HALAL and Kosher certified.

First District Association (FDA) will be the preferred market of choice for dairy producers. FDA will produce high quality dairy and food products being the ultimate supplier of choice exceeding customer expectations. FDA will have a reputation for innovation, quality, production, efficiency, profitability, strong financial independence and growth.

"Wapsie Valley Creamery, Inc. (Wapsie) is a family-owned business which manufactures cheese, lactose, and whey products at its Independence, Iowa processing plant. Wapsie purchases its milk for the manufacturing of its products from over 160 independent dairy farms in east and northeast Iowa, southwest Wisconsin and northwest Illinois. Wapsie Valley Creamery, Inc. employs 120 people in northeast Iowa. Wapsie Valley Creamery sells its cheese products to large wholesale companies that cut, slice and shred its cheese products into smaller private label packages for retail store shelves. Wapsie’s lactose products are purchased by large manufactures and used as an ingredient mainly in food applications including confectionery, sweeteners and various dairy blends. Wapsie sells its reduced lactose whey products to wholesale companies which use them in processed cheeses, cheese spreads, and calf milk replacer. Wapsie has successfully produced products in the dairy industry since 1906. Although the dairy industry has shown little growth over the years, Wapsie has continuously adjusted its manufacturing processes and equipment to compete in the volatile landscapes of the dairy industry. Wapsie Valley Creamery continues to invest in new equipment that is able to process more milk more efficiently to obtain the best yields in its products. Although the company has grown over the years, the company is still a relatively small company in the dairy industry."

Our journey began in Denver, Colorado in 1950 when Mike Leprino, Sr. started making mozzarella cheese for his family’s corner grocery store. Today, Leprino Foods Company is a global dairy leader. In fact, we’re the world’s largest mozzarella cheese maker and leading producer of whey protein, lactose and other dairy ingredients.Our journey began in Denver, Colorado in 1950 when Mike Leprino, Sr. started making mozzarella cheese for his family’s corner grocery store. Today, Leprino Foods Company is a global dairy leader. In fact, we’re the world’s largest mozzarella cheese maker and leading producer of whey protein, lactose and other dairy ingredients.

"Our cheese making facility, located in Lena, Illinois, was built by William Thill in 1973 and was originally called Excelsior Cheese Factory. Duane and Cheryl Torkelson bought the property from Mr. Thill back in 1985 and started Torkelson Cheese Co. To continue the growth of the company, Duane and Cheryl partnered with Jamie and Lindsey White in 2008. Over the years, the Torkelsons and Whites have made many changes to the factories. A successful growth pattern has included increased storage capacities, modernizing the packaging process, enhancing our cheese making, and most recently, the completion of a new lactose production facility. Since 1986, Torkelson Cheese has earned twelve World Champion Cheese Awards, winning gold for their Muenster, Brick and Quesadilla cheese. In addition, Asadero and Apple Jack are other popular cheeses manufactured at Torkelson Cheese Co. Lindsey explains, “One of the secrets to our success is that we procure only the highest quality milk from local farmers.” For Torkelson Cheese, quality of our cheeses take first priority. Torkelson Cheese Co. uses all 100 percent natural ingredients – no added chemicals and no preservatives. “Quality really is our biggest concern,” Lindsey said. “I have two small children at home and we eat our cheese on a daily basis. I would never put something onto the market that I would not feed my own family.” “We know we are doing the absolute best that we can for our consumer,” Lindsey explained, “I really understand that people work hard to earn their money. When they choose to spend it on a dairy product that came from our plant, I am elated. People that trust Torkelson Cheese Co. at their dinner table deserve the best possible quality that we can provide.”"