Darigold
| Company type | Cooperative |
|---|---|
| Industry | Dairy marketing and production |
| Predecessor | Northwest Dairymen's Association |
| Founded | 1918 |
| Founder | Umberto "Bert" Dickey (key figure in branding and marketing) |
| Headquarters | Lynden, Washington , United States |
Area served | Northwestern United States, Mexico City, Shanghai |
Key people | Joe Coote (CEO as of 2022), Stan Ryan (former CEO) |
| Products | Dairy products for wholesale, retail, foodservice; commodity-grade and commercial dairy ingredients |
| Revenue | $801.5 million (2024) |
| $2.3 billion (2024) | |
Number of employees | 1500+ (2025) |
Northwest Dairy Association—originally known as the Northwest Dairymen's Association and operating under the trade name Darigold, Inc.—stands as a prominent cooperative in the American dairy marketing sector. Established in 1918 and adopting the Darigold, Inc. name in 1925, it is recognized as one of the largest dairy producers nationwide. Darigold supplies an extensive selection of dairy items tailored for wholesale, retail, and foodservice industries, along with commodity-grade and commercial dairy ingredients. As of 2025, the company manages 12 manufacturing facilities throughout the Northwestern United States and maintains branch offices in Mexico City and Shanghai. With a workforce exceeding 1,500 employees worldwide, Darigold partners with over 250 family-owned farms to satisfy increasing consumer demand. The organization reported revenues of $801.5 million in 2024, alongside a net income of $2.3 billion.
History
The dairy industry in Washington experienced substantial growth from the establishment of its first creamery in 1880 until the creation of the cooperative that evolved into Darigold following World War I. By 1909, Washington ranked third nationally in condensed milk production and held the 13th and 15th positions for butter and cheese output respectively, surpassing local consumption needs. Creameries exercised significant control over farmers’ milk prices by selectively purchasing based on market requirements, which led dairy producers to organize cooperatives such as the United Dairymen’s Association (UDA), later known as Darigold, to improve milk marketing efforts. The inherent volatility of dairy markets combined with ongoing expansion in 1918 encouraged farmers to establish cooperatives aimed at stabilizing income and strengthening their market presence.
The Early Years (1918-1930)
Darigold Inc.’s origins trace back to the United Dairymen’s Association of Washington (UDA), founded in 1918 in Lynden, Washington to confront post-World War I disruptions within the U.S. dairy sector. Dairy producers grappled with supply-demand imbalances that frequently resulted in excess milk and limited avenues for sales. To bring market stability, five Pacific Northwest dairy cooperatives united to form the UDA.
To broaden its marketing capabilities, UDA engaged Seattle-based food broker Umberto "Bert" Dickey, who established Consolidated Dairy Products Company (CDP) in 1920. CDP became a fully owned subsidiary offering processing and marketing services under the Darigold brand to all UDA members.
In 1925, Dickey conducted a branding survey among UDA members that led to selecting Darigold as the official trademark. He secured registration of this brand across the United States and six additional countries spanning Europe, North America, and Asia. Various regional dairy groups, including those from Whatcom County, invested capital into CDP.
By 1930, Dickey transferred ownership of CDP to UDA farmers, unifying processing and marketing functions under one organization. Prior to this transfer, Dickey had expanded CDP’s operations by constructing a $300,000 processing facility capable of producing two million pounds of butter annually and acquiring American Creamery, Bradner & Co., along with Mutual Creamery Company. These strategic moves enabled CDP to offer integrated distribution, processing, and marketing services supporting around 12,500 supplying farms.
1931-1959
After acquiring CDP, the UDA broadened its membership base and geographic reach to improve market opportunities for dairy producers. Although creameries maintained a strong presence, this expansion enhanced farmers' negotiating leverage. By the time World War II commenced, the UDA encompassed approximately 40 autonomous dairy organizations with nearly 40,000 members situated in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. This growth facilitated a significant increase in dairy output during the war years, with Washington's dairy herd achieving an unprecedented count of 331,000 cows.
In 1999, the cooperative adopted the name Northwest Dairy Association and operated under the corporate identity WestFarm Foods, before returning to the Darigold brand in 2006. The organization merged with Montana’s Country Classic cooperative in 2010. Currently, Darigold generates annual revenues exceeding $2 billion and processes over 8.6 billion pounds of milk each year. Labor relations have featured union representation at most plants, notwithstanding a lockout incident at one facility in 2003.
In June 2021, Darigold revealed plans for a significant investment in an environmentally sustainable production plant located in Pasco, Washington. The following year, CEO Stan Ryan stepped down after six years at the helm, with executive Joe Coote appointed as his successor, signaling a strategic shift in leadership.