Morningstar Foods
100 Chestnut St
Murray, KY 42071

The Murray facility is part of the Morningstar division of Dean Foods which specializes in extended shelf life products. Dean Foods Company, located in Dallas, Texas, is one of the leading food and beverage companies in the country. They are the largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products. Through our WhiteWave Foods division, we are also the nation's leading manufacturer of soymilk, organic milk and other organic foods. Dean’s operates more than 100 plants in the United States and employ more than 26,000 people.

Company History
Joseph Ryan founded Ryan Milk Products in 1929. The innovative plant made everything from powdered and evaporated milk products to cream, butter and Grade “A” bottled milk. In 1942, the name was changed to Ryan Milk Company. Over the next decade, Ryan Milk became “one of the most valuable organizations in Western Kentucky.” By the mid 1950’s, Ryan Milk began a period of unprecedented growth under the management and technological expertise of James E. Garrison. Over the next 15 years, Mr. Garrison introduced new equipment that improved plant efficiencies and the first All Jersey Milk Program East of the Mississippi River. This marketing program was vital to maintaining Ryan’s success during a period of declining Grade “C” Demand and supported Ryan’s new ventures into extended shelf life dairy products of whipping cream, light cream, heavy cream, half and half and coffee creamers. In 1986 Dean Foods in Franklin Park, Illinois purchased Ryan Milk and continued packaging extended shelf life products. Dean Foods Company was established in 1925 as an evaporated milk company. In January 2002 the Dean Foods Company and Suiza Dairy Group merged and the name of the new company became Dean Foods. The Ryan Foods division was placed under the Morningstar Foods group which packages non-dairy and dairy coffee creamers, milks, whipping creams, aerosol whipped toppings, and lactose free milk.

Our mission
Our objective is to continue our reputation for excellence in the marketplace by processing, selling, and delivering the best products possible for our customers. We have learned that the most critical ingredient in sustaining that success is working together as a highly productive team. Quality workmanship, high productivity, commitment to the customer, and commitment to our employees have made us a leader in the industry. We are committed to understanding the needs of all customers, to produce quality products, on time delivery at competitive prices.

Our values
Our employees are the source of our strength. Our employees determine our reputation and vitality. The Company’s equity is enhanced by an individual’s collective style, skill, experience, and commitment to self-improvement. We believe our products are the best in the market and are the end result of the efforts of everyone at the Company -- from design, production, and processing to sales, merchandising, and distribution.

Company Statistics

• The Murray, KY facility employs 249 employees from Murray-Calloway County and surrounding counties.
• Morningstar-Murray produces and ships 15 -17 million pounds per month of extended shelf life food products.
• Murray currently produces 429 production items, and re-supplies at least 266 various items to other Dean facilities in order to serve as the Dean Dairy hub in the Southeast. Currently, they are shipping into 28 states.
• Morningstar-Murray is supportive of Murray-Calloway Local Relay for Life, American Heart Association, United Way, local charities, and local school and volunteer efforts.
• Morningstar-Murray purchases an average of 1,100,000 pounds of locally supplied milk per week. They also utilize local contractors or businesses whenever possible.
• The Murray facility has record low employee turnover which allows the company an opportunity to gain experience and continuously improve their operation.

Awards
In 1985, Murray received the U.S. Senate Productivity Award.

In 2000, Murray, KY received the Dean Foods Company’s Outstanding Achievement Award for the successful launch of PET plastic bottles. Murray received the Dean Foods Company Outstanding Achievement Award’s for their extensive work in helping become the first dairy plant to package dairy products into PET plastic bottles and maintain a quality extended shelf life.

In 2007 Morningstar Foods Company was the recipient of two major food service awards for being the Vendor of the Year or Vendor of choice. This award was given due to outstanding customer service levels and food quality standards.