Corporate Responsibility

Being a successful company goes well beyond onsite, daily operations. For Hilmar Cheese Company, it’s about giving back to the community and industry that supported a dream…the dream of our 12 founding dairy families who established the company in 1984. Our owners – most of whom are second and third generation members of the Hilmar community – live and raise their families in Hilmar and Dalhart.

At the forefront of Hilmar Cheese Company’s efforts are community and industry involvement and support. Our owners and management team give of themselves above and beyond their roles at Hilmar Cheese Company. They’re familiar faces and respected members of many dairy industry groups and civic organizations. Throughout the years, the company has donated thousands of dollars and countless cheese baskets to support local schools, charitable causes and the dairy industry.

As we look to future generations, Hilmar Cheese Company is deeply committed to protecting the environment and bettering the lives of our employees, their families and our neighbors by acting responsibly both onsite and in our surrounding community.

Meet some of the dairy farmers who supply our milk.

Educational Outreach

INSPIRING MINDS TO LEARN AND GROW

Visitor Center Tours and Educational Programs – each year, our education staff guides thousands of school children and tour groups through the cheesemaking process and hands-on exhibits, while sharing the importance of agricultural sustainability.
Scholarship Program – in support of higher education, our annual program provides college or trade school tuition scholarships for children of our employees, the dairy farm families that ship milk to us and local students pursing agricultural degrees. Scholarship Guidelines. Scholarship Application. Scholarship Recommendation. Annual deadline is March 15. For questions contact scholarships@hilmarcheese.com .
Employee Education Assistance Program – as part of our employee development program, Hilmar Cheese Company encourages the pursuit of college courses and degrees.

community involvement

BETTERING LIVES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

Legacy Circle: Emanuel Medical Center – a long-time supporter, Hilmar Cheese Company is a major donor to our local hospital’s annual fund-raising efforts. These funds have helped build a state-of-the-art women’s birthing center, improve emergency services and sustain hospice to serve our local communities.
American Cancer Society's Relay for Life - employee teams in Hilmar and Dalhart receive matching funds to walk and raise funds for cancer research.
Rita Blanca Park - Hilmar Cheese Company partnered with the City of Dalhart and Dalham-Hartley County to improve more than 6 miles of walking trails.

Environmental Stewardship

RESPONSIBILITY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

California Dairy Quality Assurance Program (CDQAP): Hilmar Cheese Company was the only processor to reward producers for environmental stewardship. The company has paid out more than $1.9 million to its producers for taking the forefront on this important issue.
Water Reclamation Facility: Hilmar Cheese Company recycles and reuses millions of gallons of water each day. Our water processing facilities in California and Texas produces water for beneficial agriculture use.
Hilmar Cheese Company is proud to be a member of the California Climate Action Registry and has been recognized by the Registry as a Climate Action Leader in working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.