Apr 22, 2026

Gay Lea Foods releases first Environmental, Social and Governance report

TORONTO, ON — To celebrate Earth Day, Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited (“Gay Lea Foods”) released its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report for fiscal 2025, marking a significant milestone in how the Canadian, farmer-owned co-operative reports on its ESG performance. 

The report, a first for the co-operative, reflects work that has long been part of how Gay Lea Foods operates – reducing environmental impact, strengthening communities and supporting its members and employees. 

“Gay Lea Foods was built on the belief that our co-operative thrives when our members and communities thrive,” said Suzanna Dalrymple, president and CEO, Gay Lea Foods. “Guided by our purpose – to enrich life with dairy – we are proud to share how we are investing with purpose to build a better dairy industry, a stronger co-operative for our members and an improved tomorrow for all Canadians.” 

Highlights from fiscal 2025 include: 

Environment 

Achieved 224% of greenhouse gas emissions reduction target (Gay Lea Foods has committed to aiming to achieve net-zero emissions across specific categories by 2050)

Launched an on-farm sustainability pilot program focused on reducing on-farm greenhouse gas emissions – with plans to scale program nationally in 2026

Improved landfill diversion rate by 600 basis points and formalized plans for landmark improvement in 2026 (Gay Lea Foods has committed to zero waste to landfill by 2050)

More than 90% of branded packaging is now recyclable or recycle-ready (Gay Lea Foods has committed to make 100% branded packaging being recyclable or recycle-ready by 2030)

 Community 

Made a $1.2 million, three-year financial commitment to Second Harvest, and donated the equivalent of 262,000 meals through direct product donations

Contributed an additional $1-million to Canadian charities through the Gay Lea Foundation to nourish local communities and support sustainable agriculture

Received Imagine Canada’s PRISM Network certification, recognizing Gay Lea Foods’ community investment leadership

“Being a farmer-owned dairy co-operative means thinking beyond today. Just as our members build their farms for generations, we carry that same long-term responsibility in how we run our co-operative and enrich our communities,” said Mike Langdon, senior vice-president, corporate and co-operative affairs. “This report reflects the care and commitment across Gay Lea Foods as we continue balancing people, profit and planet together.” 

The environmental, social and governance (ESG) report for fiscal 2025 is the beginning of an intentionally transparent and accountable way of sharing progress, with a commitment to ongoing measurement and annual reporting in the years ahead. 

Read Gay Lea Foods’ full F25 ESG report here.  

About Gay Lea Foods 

Gay Lea Foods is a leading Canadian dairy co-operative renowned for producing high-quality, nutritious dairy products that Canadian families love and trust. From farm to table, our 1,200 farmer members in Ontario and Manitoba, and more than 1,200 employees across four provinces, work together to nourish communities through award-winning brands including Gay Lea, Nordica, Salerno, Bothwell Cheese, and more. As part of its deeply rooted, balanced commitment to people, profit, and planet, Gay Lea Foods proudly invests one percent of pre-tax earnings back into Canadian communities through a national food security partnership with Second Harvest, and the community-building efforts of the Gay Lea Foundation. To learn more, visit gaylea.com. 

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For media inquiries, please contact: 

Robin Redstone 

Director, Communications 

communications@gayleafoods.com 

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