There are two basic principles of milk: fresh is best, and milk should taste like milk. It shouldn’t have any gimmicks and the product should speak for itself. People who enjoy Lock City Dairies’ milk, cream and butter understand the quality, care and freshness that goes into these dairy products.
Founded in 1991 by Vic Fremlin, Lock City Dairies is Algoma’s local source for fresh dairy products. As a third-generation farmer, Fremlin knows all about taking care of the land we live on and providing for the community.
Focusing on providing quality dairy products
“We’re very community-oriented,” said Rheanna Brown, Fremlin’s daughter and office manager of Lock City Dairies. “We’re a local dairy company that invests in the community. Our focus is on quality and providing a great product.”
When Beatrice Foods closed its dairy operation in 1991, Fremlin along with a few other partners stepped in to keep milk flowing into Sault Ste. Marie and that’s how the company was born.
In the 34 years since, Lock City Dairies has expanded to provide locals with milk, cream, butter and ice, in addition to lemonade and ice cream as seasonal products in the summer.
Unlike other dairy brands, Lock City Dairies is as fresh as possible. Within 48 hours, the milk goes from the farm to your table. There are no stabilizers or preservatives used in any of their products. Lock City Dairies milk tastes like milk, the way it should be.
Churning some of the best butter in Northern Ontario
Local families also revere Lock City Dairies for their butter. Hand-churned, this butter is a fan favourite among bakers. They claim it keeps their baked goods moist, unlike any other butter on the market.
“Bakers love our butter. It’s probably the thing we’re most complimented on,” Brown said. “We have so many bakers coming here asking for our butter because they say it’s the best.”
Another big hit is Lock City Dairies’ chocolate milk, which is 2% compared to the typical 1% fat content of traditional chocolate milk products. That gives an extra level of richness and creaminess that people adore.
“Investing in the people that invest in you is the right thing to do”
Were it not for the generosity of the community in the Soo, there wouldn’t be a Lock City Dairies in the first place. That’s why Fremlin’s company is involved with countless community initiatives, from Thrive Child Development Centre, to the Soup Kitchen, to partnering with Algoma Public Health to provide free milk for single mothers.
“Vic has always been very community minded,” Brown said. “To build our Lock City building, he hired local contractors and local people to build it. He’s always believed that investing in the people that invest in you is the right thing to do.”
From their community involvement, it’s clear Lock City Dairies is more than an ordinary dairy company. They strive to bring quality products to the table from local farmers in Algoma, as well as being a staple in the community.
“From our farm to your table, we keep it simple, fresh, local and honest,” Brown said. “We believe milk should taste like milk, not a factory product.”
Find Lock City Dairies products in your local grocery store, or at their retail store at 938 McNabb Street, Sault Ste. Marie.
Follow Lock City Dairies on Instagram to see more info about their latest products.