The Central Alberta Dairy Producers’ Association was formed as a co-operative association in Alix, Alberta in 1924 to coordinate the marketing of dairy products in the region. In December 1928 the Board bought Meadow Creamery to help facilitate processing. They renamed themselves to Central Alberta Dairy Pool (CADP) in 1929. It was supposed to be Central Alberta Dairy Pool Ltd., but that was lost due to a clerical error.

They built and opened a milk condensery at 5302 Gaetz Avenue Red Deer in 1936, enabling the production of evaporated milk in central Alberta. The first cans of milk were labeled “Alpine milk.” The name changed to Alpha in 1938 after the Alpine Milk Co. / Alpine Co Ltd. was shut down in August 1937 due to too close a relationship with Safeway, and after Nestle claimed that “Alpine” (when associated with milk) was their trademark.

Red Deer Archives, N5921

The CADP expanded throughout central Alberta with different facilities producing different products. For example, fluid milk for CADP was first produced in Ponoka (at the Ponoka Creamery) in 1944, and Bassano produced honey.

In 1953, the CADP amalgamated with Co-operative Milk Co., Calgary, Ltd. and created the new name The Alpha Milk Company. Shortly after the merger, the dairy pool bought the Whitehills Jersey Dairy in Red Deer, re-naming it Alpha Jersey Dairy, and selling its first fluid milk in Red Deer. In 1964, the Alpha Milk Company moved the liquid milk production from the Whitehills building to the condensery site after stopping the poultry production there.

Red Deer Archives, P5189

Products produced in Red Deer by the pool included evaporated milk (1936-1976), egg production (1956-1970), poultry processing (after 1939 - 1964), skim milk powder (starting 1967), and making yogurt (between 1970 and 1988, under Director Ted deJong). Red Deer had the organization’s headquarters as well as several units referred to by numbers. Red Deer No. 1 is the creamery department, Red Deer No. 2 was the condensery. Red Deer No. 3 was the Alpha Jersey Dairy for fresh milk (4764 49 St), Red Deer No. 4 is the poultry and egg department, with Red Deer no. 5 as the egg drying plant.

In 1985, the head office moved out of the main plant but stayed in Red Deer. In 1992, Alpha Milk Company merged with Fraser Valley Milk Producers and Northern Alberta Dairy Pool to form Dairyworld. And finally, in 2001 Dairyworld was purchased by Saputo. Saputo continues to use the plant, primarily to produce skim milk powder and butter.

Access the research guide to learn more about the Central Alberta Dairy Pool and the Alpha Milk plant.

Red Deer Archives, E11448