Lactalis Canada, the Canadian dairy leader behind iconic brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro, and Lactantia, and part of France-based Lactalis Group, today released its 2025 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report: Nurturing Progress. The report highlights the company's commitment to being a sustainable and responsible dairy processor for its key stakeholders across its supply chain, including its people, consumers, customers, suppliers, dairy farmers, government, industry, and community partners.
Report Highlights Continued Progress on Responsible Growth
The report showcases continued progress in delivering sustainable, responsible growth while strengthening the company's connection to Canadians, communities, and the broader dairy sector. In 2025, despite ongoing economic uncertainty, Lactalis Canada remained firmly anchored in its purpose: to enrich and nurture the lives of Canadians through sustainable, responsible growth.
“We continued to deliver trusted products, strengthen partnerships across our value chain, and advance our ESG priorities in practical and measurable ways,” said Mark Taylor, President & CEO, Lactalis Canada. “As we look ahead, we remain focused on building a resilient dairy sector, supporting communities, and advancing ESG priorities in collaboration with our employees, farmers, customers, partners and suppliers.”
Strong Market Presence and Local Commitment
With more than 140 years of heritage in Canada, Lactalis Canada’s products are now found in 94% of refrigerators nationwide, reflecting the strong trust Canadians place in its brands. In 2025, the company reinforced its commitment to local production through Buy Canadian initiatives, including consumer campaigns and expanded use of the Blue Cow logo to help Canadians make informed purchasing decisions.
The company also demonstrated leadership across the industry by becoming the first supplier to formally sign the Grocery Code of Conduct, supporting greater transparency, accountability, and fairness across the grocery supply chain.
ESG Framework and Key Achievements
Aligned with Lactalis Group’s global ESG framework, the report focuses on three pillars of impact: People & Communities; Authentic Products & Heritage; and Land & Resources, underpinned by priorities in Climate, Circular Economy & Packaging, and Animal Welfare.
People & Communities
- Recognized on Forbes’ Canada’s Best Employers 2025 list
- Contributed $3.4 million in community investment and supported 125+ organizations nationwide
- Delivered 2,400 employee volunteer hours, a 21% increase year-over-year
- Continued partnerships with Kids Help Phone and The Grocery Foundation to support youth wellbeing and food security, along with partnering with Second Harvest on its Food Rescue App
Authentic Products & Heritage
- Expanded product innovation, including high-protein and lactose-free offerings aligned with evolving consumer needs
- Maintained strong food safety performance, with 100% of distribution centres certified to recognized standards
- Advanced responsible sourcing, achieving 100% cage-free egg sourcing across the portfolio
The full 2025 ESG Report is available on Lactalis Canada's website, providing detailed information on the company's sustainability initiatives and performance metrics.
