Tillamook announces 1,909 pounds of cheese giveaway: All you need to know

Popular dairy brand Tillamook has a boatload of surprises for all cheese lovers. To understand what it is, let us go back to February 13, 1909, the establishment's founder's day. Hence, to commemorate that day and celebrate 116 years, one lucky winner will receive 1,909 lbs of cheese, which the brand calls a boatload.

Tillamook is also celebrating the National Cheddar Day on February 13, 2025, by organizing a giveaway. A person will be randomly selected after the giveaway ends on February 20, 2025, to receive 1,909 pounds of cheese.

Additionally, the first 15,000 participants will get a free coupon worth up to $6. While the total giveaway or boatload adds up to 1,909 pounds of cheese, the brand clarified to Food & Wine that the actual boat delivery includes 100 pounds of assorted cheeses, with the remaining 1,809 pounds provided through coupons for Tillamook cheese products.

According to a statement to the magazine outlet, Vice President of Marketing, Kate Boltin, said:

“February 13 is a celebratory day for Tillamook. Not only is it the cheesiest food holiday, aka National Cheddar Day, but it’s also the date in 1909 when our founding farmers each pitched in $10 to form the Tillamook cooperative and formalize a commitment to create quality dairy products, something we carry through this day.”

Over a century ago, the brand built a boat named the Morning Star to transport its dairy goods beyond the Oregon Coast. Speaking about the transportation system, Boltin said the Morning Star symbolized the original way of delivering products. This historic connection is still present as a logo on every product.

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How to be a lucky winner for Tillamook's cheese giveaway?

Those interested in becoming a lucky winner can participate in the contest by visiting tillamook.com and filling in the required details like name, email address, and ZIP code.

It is noteworthy that no purchase is needed to enter the giveaway, which is open to U.S. residents aged 18 and older. Each person can enter once. The first 15,000 participants will receive a free product coupon worth up to $6. Coupons are valued at up to $6 each, but any unused value won’t be refunded.

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According to its website, the farmers once had an abundance of butter and milk but faced a major challenge, their remote location. With no proper roads connecting Tillamook Bay to Portland and dangerous mountain routes, land transport wasn’t an option.

Instead, they turned to the sea. After months of trial and error, they successfully launched the Morning Star, Oregon’s first official ship. This allowed them to share their dairy products beyond the region. Kate Boltin added:

“For over a century, our farmer-owned cooperative has shared the same determination that inspired those aboard the historic Morning Star. Since the ship’s maiden voyage, we’ve continued to deliver an unwavering commitment to quality ingredients you can taste.”

She continued:

“Generations of dairy fans have fueled our passion for delivering premium cheddar, and that’s why we are going overboard this year by gifting a literal boatload of cheese.”

As demand grew, partnerships with major retailers like Kroger and Walmart helped expand the brand nationwide. Today, their rich cheeses and creamy ice creams reach more fans than ever across the country.