Quality Dairy Company

Quality Dairy Company is a family-owned dairy, bakery, and retail/convenience store chain in the Lansing, Michigan metro area.[2] The first Quality Dairy Store opened in 1936 and as of 2023 there are 26 retail locations in the Mid-Michigan area.[3][4][5] Quality Dairy Company's headquarters is located near REO Town in Lansing[6] and operates its Dairy Plant and Bakery Plant from central Lansing as well.[7]

Quality Dairy Company
TypePrivate
IndustryRetail (convenience stores)
Founded1936 (1936)
FoundersGregory J. Martin and Harvey Mack
Headquarters
Lansing, Michigan, United States
Number of locations
26[1]
ProductsDairy, baked goods, prepared foods, various assortment of beverages, gasoline, plastic molds
WebsiteQuality Dairy

Quality Dairy has been one of Mid-Michigan's largest employers[8][9] for over 50 years and produces over 150 different products in its Lansing area facilities.[10][11][12]

The chain caters primarily to neighborhood clientele, many of whom do not have the benefit of personal transportation. Quality Dairy has focused on keeping prices low on staples such as milk, eggs and bread but makes its profits from sales of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, snack foods and beverages, lottery tickets, and other convenience items sold at premium prices.

History

Quality Dairy Company was founded in March 1936 by Gregory J. Martin and Harvey Mack.[13] The first store was located at 1406 South Washington Avenue. The original company mission included providing bottled milk on a cash and carry basis from small neighborhood milk stores.

In 1940, Quality Dairy Company started producing, distributing, and selling ice cream. Since then, the stores have expanded offerings including grocery items, adding cereals, soups, canned vegetables and fruits,[14] snacks and more, along with a selection of meat, cheese and frozen food items. Dipped ice cream was added in 1969.

In 1955, Quality Dairy Company’s ownership changed. Harvey Mack sold to Gregory J. Martin who brought in three additional family owners shortly thereafter.[15]

Currently, Quality Dairy Company operates 27 stores throughout Greater Lansing.[16] All but two locations sell beer and wine and many sell packaged liquor. Some locations offer gasoline while others have laundromats.

In addition to retail stores, Quality Dairy Company operates its central production and distribution facility, QD Central, which includes its bakery, commissary and deli distribution center.

Storefront of the Quality Dairy Store in Holt, Michigan

Dairy Plant
Quality Dairy Plant

Quality Dairy Company was founded when there were a large number of dairies in Ingham County. Today, the company distributes milk from the local dairy farms to its 27 stores daily. The company also produces flavored milks, juices, fruit drinks, chip dip, and more, all of which are distributed from its central hub, Quality Dairy Central, located just south of Lansing's REO Town. The company also offers its own brand of Premium Ice Creams in a variety of flavors.[17]

Quality Dairy Bakery

Quality Dairy Bakery Plant

The Quality Dairy Bakery started in 1970 in the back room of one of the stores. When the bakery outgrew the space, it moved to a larger location. Today, the bakery is housed in a 37,000 sq. ft. facility in Lansing. The Quality Dairy Commissary operates in the same facility.[18]

The bakery produces over 45 varieties of donuts,[19][20] including classic cake donuts and yeast raised varieties.[21][22] It also offer cookies, muffins, pastries, and other baked goods.[23][24][25][26]

Quality Dairy Commissary
Quality Dairy Commissary

The Quality Dairy Commissary was founded in the mid-1970s. The commissary provides a wide variety of food items to the stores five days a week.

References
  1. "Greater Lansing's Neighborhood Food Store". Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  2. "Lansing-based Quality Dairy rolls out new customer rewards program". MLive.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  3. "Greater Lansing's Neighborhood Food Store". Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  4. Jason Harder (2010-10-30), 1985 Quality Dairy store commercial from Lansing Michigan., retrieved 2016-02-17
  5. Jason Harder (2011-06-18), 1984 Quality Dairy holiday Egg Nog commercial from Lansing, Michigan., retrieved 2016-02-17
  6. "Quality Dairy Co". MLive.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  7. "I want to eat that !". Pinterest. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  8. "Lansing, Michigan Largest Employers | LEAP". www.purelansing.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  9. "Major Employers | East Lansing, MI - Official Website". www.cityofeastlansing.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  10. "Celebrating Fall in Mid-Michigan". Awesome Mitten. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  11. "Paczki Day: Heavy on calories, heavy on sales". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  12. "Lansing Quality Dairy Introduces Customer Rewards Program - A Mitten Full of Savings". A Mitten Full of Savings. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  13. "Quality Dairy Co". MLive.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  14. "Delivering on quality promise". www.newfarm.org. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  15. "Believe in Magic : People.com". www.people.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  16. "State bars municipalities from enacting tobacco laws". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  17. "Best Ice Cream Shops in Michigan | PBS Food". PBS Food. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  18. "Michigan's Best Doughnut voting starts today; 6 Lansing area shops nominated". MLive.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  19. "Oh donuts, how I love thee - Review of Quality Dairy, East Lansing, MI - TripAdvisor". www.tripadvisor.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  20. "What? We missed "National Donut Day"". forums.macresource.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  21. "These 15 Bakeries Serve The Best Paczki In Michigan". OnlyInYourState. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  22. Eats, Serious. "Gallery: The Serious Eats National Doughnut Honor Roll: Serious Eats". sweets.seriouseats.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  23. Malkowski, Amanda. "Mid-Michigan Celebrates Fat Tuesday with Paczki Tradition". www.wilx.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  24. Amy. "Quality Dairy - E. Jolly Rd". Mid-Michigan Dining. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  25. Eats, Serious. "Gallery: The Serious Eats National Doughnut Honor Roll: Serious Eats". sweets.seriouseats.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  26. FOX 47 News (2013-02-12), Quality Dairy Prepares Thousands of Paczki, retrieved 2016-02-17
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