Sustainability
Hilmar Cheese Company has proudly adopted the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment, affirming to our customers, our consumers and the global marketplace our pledge to responsible dairy production as we nourish the communities we serve. For more information about the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment, go to: http://commitment.usdairy.com/.
We improve lives. Our 2021 annual report highlights our company progress. Previous years reports available here.
Environmental Stewardship
More than 60% of the water used at our facilities is recycled and reclaimed water.
Hilmar Cheese Company’s water recycling starts with cows producing milk which is 87% water. We capture the 13% solids to make cheese, whey protein and lactose. The remaining water goes through a water polisher. This recycled water is used to wash facilities, equipment and milk tankers. Recycled water is also used to make steam in the boilers. All wash water then goes to our on-site Water Reclamation facility and is used to produce bio-gas and recycled water used for landscaping our facility, for non-food uses like cooling towers and boilers and to irrigate the crops to feed the cows who make the milk. This starts the cycle again.
Bar Graph One “Total Usage” depicts the reduction of use of water by comparing 2020 combined of all water sources and 2021 combined of water sources, total water usage of gallons per one thousand pounds of production. In 2020 1,549 gallons per one thousand pounds of production were used. In 2021 1,541 gallons per one thousand pounds of production were used. Bar Graph Two “Total Recycled” depicts the increase in total recycled water by comparing 2020 combined and 2021 combined total water usage of gallons per one thousand pounds of production. In 2020 844 gallons per one thousand pounds of production were recycled. In 2021 896 gallons per one thousand pounds of production were recycled.
Hilmar Cheese Company operates technologically advanced water reclamation facilities in California and Texas. Nearly all of the water we use at the Hilmar and Dalhart manufacturing sites is recycled and then converted into irrigation water used by local farmers. The California site water reclamation process added a third loop with the ability to use our recycled water for steam in boilers. Our alternative energy solutions include biogas and solar.
Digester Tanks
Anaerobic digester tanks where process water organics are converted to biogas.
Water Treatment Ponds
Fully treated process water in our holding ponds. The water is recycled for local irrigation.
Energy
Bar Graph One “Total Direct” depicts the reduction of use of total direct kilowatts of energy used, by comparing 2020 combined total direct kilowatt use and 2021 combined direct kilowatt use. In 2020 473 total direct kilowatts of energy were used. In 2021 466 total direct kilowatts of energy were used. Bar Graph Two “Total Indirect” depicts the reduction of use of total indirect kilowatts of energy used, by comparing 2020 combined total indirect kilowatt use and 2021 combined indirect kilowatt use. Indirect energy is provided by outside sources, such as electricity. In 2020 193 total indirect kilowatts of energy were used. In 2021 188 total indirect kilowatts of energy were used.
Greenhouse Gases
Bar Graph One “Total Direct” depicts the total direct greenhouse gases, measured in metric tons of CO2e, by comparing 2020 combined total direct greenhouse gases and 2021 direct greenhouse gases. In 2020 the total metric tons of direct CO2e was 0.081. In 2021 the total metric tons of directCO2e was also 0.081. Bar Graph Two “Total Indirect” depicts the total indirect greenhouse gases, measured in metric tons of CO2e, by comparing 2020 combined total indirect greenhouse gases and 2021 indirect greenhouse gases. Indirect greenhouse gases are produced as a result of using electricity from outside sources. In 2020 the total metric tons of indirect CO2e was 0.044. In 2021 the total metric tons of indirect CO2e was 0.059.
Resource Recovery and Solid Waste Reduction
Circle Graph “Waste Diversion” depicts the total waste diversion (solid waste diverted from a landfill) percent comparing 2020 combined total waste diversion percentage and 2021 combined total waste diversion percentage. In 2020 80.57% of solid waste was diverted from a landfill. In 2021 87.61% of solid waste was diverted from a landfill. Bar Graph “Throughput Efficiency” (Total waste stream per unit of production) depicts the Throughput Efficiency by comparing 2020 combined and 2021 combined solid waste diverted from a landfill in tons per one thousand pounds of production. In 2020 0.133 tons per one thousand pounds of production were diverted from a landfill. In 2020 0.161 tons per one thousand pounds of production were diverted from a landfill.
Solar
Solar provides more than 20% of the energy for our LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Headquarters and Innovation Center.
Our Communities
Inspiring Young Minds
- Visitor Center Tour Programs hosting thousands of students each year.
- Scholarship Program for local students
- Youth Organizations such as 4-H, FFA, Scouts, youth activities and sports and community libraries
- Colleges and University partnerships with dairy processing programs
Improving Community Resources
- Annual Food Drives with company match to encourage participation and help our local food banks
- Support for those in need including Rescue Missions, Salvation Army, Clothes for Kids and more
Healthier Lives
- American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Employee teams in Hilmar and Dalhart receive matching funds to walk and raise funds for cancer research.
- Community hospital and hospice support
- American Red Cross and International Red Cross
Dedication to the Arts
- Theatre support to bring nationally acclaimed theatrical works to our community
- Local Theater, Arts & Music Programs for schools, community productions, bands and more
If you are interested in a donation, please learn more on our donations page.
Our Employees
The families who own Hilmar Cheese Company truly care about employees. Company sponsored activities and events, life-coaches, wellness programs, and educational opportunities make this a great place to work.
Employee Training
Employees are provided company training along with the opportunity to continue their education at colleges and universities through a tuition reimbursement program.
Employee Safety
Department safety teams provide leadership opportunities for employees at every level.
Economic Contribution
Hilmar Cheese Company is a significant provider of local jobs and contributor to regional tax bases. We improve lives around the world by being a leading producer of wholesome dairy products.
Local Jobs
We provide thousands of local jobs between our headquarters and manufacturing plants in Hilmar CA, Turlock CA, and Dalhart TX.
Wholesome Dairy Products
Hilmar Cheese Company and our business unit, Hilmar Ingredients, provide wholesome dairy products for more than 50 countries.
On the Dairy Farm
Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. believes that sustainability is a daily commitment to caring for people, our communities and our natural resources – while never forgetting the importance of providing affordable, nutritious dairy foods for consumers around the world. We share this belief with the dairy farm families who supply us and they understand it includes the responsibility of appropriate dairy animal care and farm land management.
100% of the dairy farm families directly shipping their milk to Hilmar Cheese Company participate in the National Dairy FARM Program. Farmers Assuring Responsible Management, or FARM, includes comprehensive dairy cattle best care practices for nutrition, health, housing and more. Developed by animal scientists and veterinarians, FARM includes evaluation of each individual dairy to assess compliance with practices for proper animal care, comfort and well-being practices. The program also includes independent third-party verification.