Safe Quality Foods (SQF)

Quality is the foundation on which Great Lakes Cheese was established over 50 years ago. Over the years, we've continuously improved our process, reinvested in our facilities and aggressively implemented product safety and quality systems to ensure all products that leave our doors are safe and secure.

Quality Assured

To further enhance our existing programs, we have embraced Safe Quality Food (SQF) to be in compliance with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GSFI).

What is GFSI?

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a nonprofit organization with the goal of improving food safety and food security management systems. Their work involves developing benchmarks for the process used to establish a food safety management program and the guidelines to maintain it. Currently, there are four food safety standards that are formally benchmarked to GFSI. One of them is the Safe Quality Food 2000 Code.

What is SQF?

The Safe Quality Food Program (SQF) provides certification that guarantees the food has been manufactured in accordance with food safety best practices and meets all established requirements. The program, now globally recognized, has rigorous and specific standards that must be met before achieving certification.

What Does SQF Do?

Verifies our processes are in control and food safe
Certification helps us continually improve our quality and safety processes
Confirms all of our procedures meet or exceeds GFSI standards and regulatory requirements
Provides an additional level of confidence that our products have been produced, prepared and handled according to the highest possible standards
Addresses and encourages safe, responsible and sustainable business practices

What does this mean for Great Lakes Cheese customers?

Great Lakes Cheese is proud to be a part of the SQF Program. We value the additional confidence gained in knowing our products and processes meet the highest food safety standards. Our customers have come to expect this level of quality, and we're pleased to announce all Great Lakes Cheese packaging plants are SQF-certified.

State of the Art Manufacturing Facilities

Our commitment to customer service has driven our expansion. As delivery needs grew, Great Lakes Cheese strategically placed plants to ensure our cheeses arrived fresh and on-time. Constant improvement at all levels of our operation is our service commitment to our customers.

Manufacturing Facilities

Our Happy Employees

Amber Bacon, Product Marketing Specialist

"One of the greatest feelings is waking up in the morning and looking forward to work. I love my job, thanks to this amazing family-owned company, as well as my colleagues, who I now consider family." Amber Bacon, Associate Product Manager

"Coming from a larger, publicly-held company, I can attest to the family atmosphere the Great Lakes Cheese environment brings to the table. From the production floor to the front office, everyone is ready to help you accomplish your goals, and does so with a smile. All employees want to see the company succeed, and there's a true sense of teamwork anywhere you go." Trent Lattimore, Packaging Engineer

Erin Shirkey, Director of Sales Operations

"Great Lakes Cheese was not the place I originally expected to find a career, but it's now a place I truly appreciate. With hard work and great mentors, I've been able to advance into new roles as my experience and skills have developed. I've worked here for almost 20 years, but each day, I still continue to learn and be challenged." Erin Shirkey, Director of Sales Operations

Mark Gray, Customer Service Representative

"I’ve been employed with GLC for over 20 years. After hearing from several friends who were working here, especially about the ESOP plan and job security, I decided to exit the construction field for a new career. I’m so glad I made that decision, and the experience of working in both production and the front office has been challenging and rewarding. Being able to participate and contribute to a steadily growing family-oriented business, as an employee-owner, and with the best benefits in the industry, has kept me firmly planted here at GLC." Mark Gray, Customer Service Representative

Nick Ruskiewicz, Sales Operations Coordinator

"I was recently hired by Great Lakes Cheese as a Customer Service Representative. I realized early on what a powerful commitment to teamwork all employees have here. To work in an office atmosphere where the company succeeds by others doing for others to achieve goals regardless of departments is truly eye opening! Great Lakes Cheese is a very large company that feels like a very large family to me. I’m so excited being part of this GLC team and having the opportunity to participate and contribute to such a successful company."Nick Ruskiewicz, Sales Operations Coordinator

"I was recently hired by Great Lakes Cheese as an Account Manager. Throughout my short time here, I have truly felt the family atmosphere that everyone talks about at Great Lakes. This was one of the many reasons why I chose to come work here. Everyone has a great sense of team work and will go out of their way to help you if you need it. It is one of the few companies that truly cares about the success of each employee."Tyler Mazanec, Regional Account Manager

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