Sanilac Creamery Constructs Milk Garage with MDARD Value-Added Grant

Ann Arbor’s Sanilac Creamery produces handmade cheeses and gelati using traditional methods and high-quality milk from small-scale regional farmers. The creamery hand-ladles all of its cheeses to preserve the flavor and characteristics of fresh milk while maintaining the necessary low temperature and long pasteurization needed to preserve good flavor.  

In 2023, Sanilac Creamery received $100,000 from MDARD’s Value-Added grant program to help construct a garage to receive raw milk directly into their milk production facility. The MDARD grant elevated Sanilac Creamery’s ability to maintain the sanitation standards required of a raw milk dairy processing facility. Both the creamery’s milk receiving and clean-in-place processes are now significantly more efficient and easier to operate because of the upgrade.

“We view MDARD as an ally – both in business development and in our shared commitment to producing safe, high-quality products for public consumption,” said Arend Elston, Owner-Operator of Sanilac Creamery. “Their support reflects a genuine interest in seeing Michigan producers succeed and in the broader benefits that a thriving local food system brings to the community.”

The new infrastructure enables Sanilac Creamery to produce Grade A products including yogurt, crème fraiche, and mascarpone. Launching these products will significantly increase the creamery’s use of Michigan milk and with the new product lineup, the business expects to see new customers in the creamery.

Originally named Zingerman’s Creamery, Sanilac Creamery began making cream cheese and quark from locally sourced milk in 2001. Over the years, the creamery has expanded their cheese lineup to include flavored cream cheese, quark from local cow and goat milk, soft-ripened cheeses, and homemade gelato.   

In fall 2025, the creamery began a new business chapter and became Sanilac Creamery. Despite its new name, the creamery still employs the same team, recipes and craftsmanship to produce every product. They continue to produce the Zingerman’s brand cheeses, gelato and spreads customers know and love, and remain a valued supplier to the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses.