Exhibiting at World Tea Expo 2025

Land O'Lakes Foodservice, a division of Land O'Lakes, Inc., is a leading supplier of premium dairy-based products and culinary solutions to the commercial and institutional foodservice industry across the United States. Based in Arden Hills, Minnesota, Land O'Lakes Foodservice is part of a nearly century-old farmer-owned cooperative and is renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Core Business and Industry Role

Land O'Lakes Foodservice serves a wide spectrum of clients, including commercial restaurants, school nutrition programs (K-12), healthcare foodservice, and hospitality. The company specializes in delivering high-quality dairy and dairy-based culinary solutions tailored for volume cooking and foodservice operations.

As a farmer-owned cooperative, the company leverages a vertically integrated supply chain, ensuring traceability, consistency, and quality from farm to table. The foodservice division extends this advantage to chefs, food directors, and institutional buyers through a range of versatile and high-performance dairy products.

Product and Service Offerings

Land O'Lakes Foodservice offers a robust portfolio across several categories:

• Butter & Spreads:

  • Clarified Butter
  • Signature® Spread Garlic & Herb
  • Traditional Salted and Unsalted Butters

• Cheese:

  • Ultimate Cheddar™ Cheese Dip
  • Reduced Fat Co-Jack® Cheese Cubes
  • Light Mozzarella String Cheese
  • Natural Shredded and Sliced Cheeses

• Sauces:

  • Extra Melt® Cheese Sauce (bulk and pouches)
  • Alfredo and Queso Sauces
  • Ready-to-Serve Cheese Sauces

• Prepared Meals:

  • Macaroni & Cheese with Whole Grain
  • Shelf-stable and refrigerated entrée solutions

• Individual Portions:

  • Cheese Cups and Snack Packs for K-12 and retail channels

The company’s products are optimized for foodservice formats with an emphasis on performance, heat stability, and cost-efficiency.

Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Land O'Lakes Foodservice stands apart due to its:

• Farmer-Owned Model: Ensures vertical integration and long-term supply security
• R&D Capabilities: Access to a state-of-the-art innovation center for culinary development
• Versatility & Performance: Products designed specifically for high-volume cooking
• Sustainability Leadership: Significant investments in regenerative agriculture and carbon reduction

The Extra Melt® line is a flagship offering known for its consistent melt, hold time, and customizable applications in fast-paced kitchens.

Financials and Business Scale

Land O'Lakes, Inc. reported $16 billion in annual sales revenue in 2023, with the Foodservice segment contributing a substantial share through bulk and institutional dairy sales. The cooperative ranks within the Top 100 U.S. food companies and among the Top 10 dairy processors in North America by volume.

Land O'Lakes Foodservice services thousands of accounts across all 50 states and works with major foodservice distributors such as US Foods, Sysco, and Gordon Food Service.

Distribution and Reach

• Distribution Network: Over 50 regional distributor partnerships
• Customer Segments:
  • Commercial restaurants and QSRs
  • K-12 school meal programs
  • Healthcare and senior living facilities
  • Correctional foodservice
  • Hotel and catering companies

The K-12 channel has seen notable growth, with Land O'Lakes participating in USDA nutritional programs and compliant with NSLP (National School Lunch Program) requirements.

Capabilities and Infrastructure

• In-house culinary and R&D innovation team
• USDA-inspected production facilities across the Midwest
• Shelf-stable, refrigerated, and frozen storage and logistics solutions
• Dedicated customer support and sales training programs for operators

The company's culinary insights and support tools help customers develop new menu ideas, reduce food waste, and maintain food safety compliance.

Certifications and Compliance

• USDA Inspected
• NSLP-Compliant (K-12)
• SQF (Safe Quality Food) Certified Facilities
• Kosher and Halal Certified Products (selected SKUs)
• Active participant in U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment for sustainable sourcing

Media, Marketing, and Recognition

Land O'Lakes Foodservice maintains an active presence through:

• YouTube Video Series: “Where Goodness Grows” highlighting farmer stories and culinary applications
• Social Media Campaigns: Targeting chefs and foodservice professionals with recipe innovations
• Trade Events: Active at events like SNA ANC, NACUFS, and IDDBA

The company is also a multi-year recipient of accolades from foodservice operators for taste, product versatility, and customer service.

Major Achievements

• Developed Extra Melt®—the gold standard in processed cheese sauces, used in over 25,000 foodservice kitchens nationwide
• Published annual K-12 and Commercial Product Guides to support compliant menu planning
• Partnered with No Kid Hungry and Feeding America in school nutrition and hunger relief initiatives
• Pioneered clarified butter formulations with extended shelf life for high-volume use

Land O'Lakes Foodservice continues to shape the future of institutional dining by delivering dairy innovations rooted in quality, nutrition, and farmer-driven values.