Lactalis Canada pivoting to plant-based offerings in Sudbury

With Ontarians’ consumption habits changing and fluid milk costs rising, Lactalis Canada, which owns brands like Beatrice, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia, is pivoting to producing plant-based products at its Sudbury operations. It will continue to run its refrigerated warehouse in the city and transfer the milk-processing operations to other plants in Ontario and Quebec.

"While our core business is dairy, as an innovation leader and as demonstrated by our forthcoming expansion into plant-based, we are constantly following the consumer and continually seeking opportunities to innovate and respond to the market," said Mark Taylor, president & CEO, Lactalis Canada in a release.

NEW: Lactalis Canada opens first plant-based facility in Ontario

The news comes on the heels of an earlier announcement that the Sudbury plant would cease milk processing and packaging, effective Sept. 30, and means the company plans to retain the majority of its workforce as it makes the transition.

The move allows Lactalis to expand its current plant-based offerings, which includes Sensational Soy, Lactantia margarine and siggi's coconut-based yogurt alternative.

Our purpose is to enrich and nurture the lives of Canadians and this holds the same for our new offering which will provide consumers with complementary high-quality plant-based products that will benefit from our current capacity and capabilities as well as our rich and long-standing dairy expertise," said Taylor.