Since 1909, Smith’s has been a family-owned and operated dairy maker, producing milk and other dairy products from local farm partners. Its story began with two brothers, a five-gallon freezer and family recipes, and the company still churns ice cream in small batches with long-standing employees. Smith’s recognizable yellow containers are designed to block light and help keep its products fresh.
Toft Dairy, IncFive generations of the Toft family have made milk, ice cream, and other dairy products in Sandusky since 1900, making Toft Dairy Ohio’s oldest dairy. The family-owned company works with 13 nearby farms that deliver fresh raw milk to its plant daily, where it produces its “One Quality” products and supplies four scoop shops as well as wholesale customers. Its Tilly mascot, named for founder Matilda Toft, carries that century-plus local history into newer creations such as Tilly Tracks ice cream.SANDUSKY, OH
Galliker Dairy CompanySince Louis Galliker founded the business in Johnstown in 1914, Galliker Dairy Company has remained rooted in its hometown and family dairy tradition. Today, family members are still involved in operations as more than 300 employees help distribute Galliker’s milk and ice cream across 10 states. The company is especially known in Pennsylvania for its Lightsafe Yellow Jug, introduced in 1992 to help protect milk’s nutrients from light.JOHNSTOWN, PA
Maplehofe DairyThe Glick family has run Maplehofe Dairy since opening its public store in 1974, building on Aaron and Susie Glick’s dairy-farming roots dating to 1948. The Quarryville business serves its local community with fresh milk processed weekly in its own plant and a farm-store experience that includes hand-dipped ice cream.QUARRYVILLE, PA
Minerva DairySince Max Radloff started the business in 1894, Minerva Dairy has remained a family-owned creamery rooted in Minerva, Ohio. Now led by fifth-generation siblings Adam Mueller and Venae Watts, the company carries its butter-making tradition into a seventh generation while working with local pasture-raised family farms. It is best known for its slow-churned 85% butterfat butter and also serves food manufacturers with ingredient cheese.MINERVA, OH