SUDBURY -- A northern Ontario company, Thornloe Cheese, has been bought by dairy cooperative Gay Lea.

Thornloe, located north of New Liskeard, has been in business for 75 years.

30 workers are employed at the plant that produces specialty cheeses. It is also responsible for introducing the first butter and cheeses made with milk sourced from Dairy Farmers of Ontario Verified Grass Fed program

Officials with Gay Lea say the company has reached an agreement with Eastgen to acquire the operations of Thornloe Cheese.

"Thornloe Cheese has a long and storied history in northern Ontario and holds a special place in the hearts of northern dairy farmers and consumers alike," said Gay Lea Foods Chair Rob Goodwill. "We are pleased to keep Thornloe Cheese in the hands of a wholly Canadian dairy farmer-owned co-operative and help keep northeastern Ontario's rich agricultural legacy alive."