Who Makes Kirkland Signature Ice Cream? A Comprehensive Guide

As a professional in the retail and consumer products industry, I know that many shoppers are curious about the origins and production of their favorite store brands. And when it comes to Kirkland Signature ice cream, one of Costco‘s most popular private label products, the question of who actually makes it is a common one.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share the results of my in-depth research into the sourcing and manufacturing of Kirkland Signature ice cream. I‘ll explore the unique partnership between Costco and Humboldt Creamery, the farmer-owned co-op that produces the majority of Kirkland ice cream flavors. I‘ll also provide detailed comparisons to other ice cream brands in terms of quality, price, and ingredients, as well as some sales data and consumer insights.

Whether you‘re a dedicated Costco shopper, an ice cream aficionado, or just someone who appreciates knowing where your food comes from, this guide will give you the inside scoop (pun intended) on Kirkland Signature ice cream. Let‘s dive in!

Kirkland Ice Cream Sales and Market Position

First, let‘s put Kirkland Signature ice cream sales into context. According to a 2021 report from the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA), private label ice cream and sherbet sales reached $1.3 billion in the US, accounting for 23.5% of the total ice cream/sherbet category (source).

While Costco does not break out sales for individual private label items, the warehouse club sold $58 billion worth of Kirkland Signature products globally in 2021, accounting for around 25% of total revenue (source). Ice cream is consistently one of the top-selling Kirkland Signature categories, with the Half-Gallon Vanilla flavor ranking as the #3 best-selling Kirkland SKU in 2020 (source).

So it‘s clear that Kirkland Signature is a major player in the ice cream category, and the brand has a very loyal following among Costco members. But what makes Kirkland ice cream stand out in terms of quality and value? The answer lies in its sourcing and production.

Humboldt Creamery: The Cream of the Crop

As I mentioned in my initial research, Kirkland Signature ice cream is primarily produced by Humboldt Creamery, an independent dairy cooperative in Northern California. Founded in 1929, Humboldt Creamery is currently owned by about 65 family dairy farms, all located within 50 miles of the creamery facility in Fortuna, CA (source).

What sets Humboldt Creamery apart is its commitment to sustainable, pasture-based dairy farming. The co-op‘s farmers graze their cows on lush, green pastures for at least 180 days per year (weather permitting), supplementing with locally-grown alfalfa and hay (source). This not only leads to happier, healthier cows, but also yields milk with higher levels of beneficial nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (source).

In addition to grass feeding, Humboldt Creamery adheres to strict quality standards and humane animal care practices. All of the co-op‘s farmers are certified by the American Humane Association and do not use artificial growth hormones like rBST (source). The milk is also free of antibiotics and pesticides, and is non-GMO.

This exceptional milk is then transformed into premium ice cream through a traditional, slow-churn process at Humboldt Creamery‘s SQF Level 3 certified facility. The result is an ultra-creamy, richly flavored ice cream made with simple, natural ingredients.

Costco‘s Winning Partnership

So how did Costco come to partner with this small, regional creamery for its private label ice cream? According to a 2016 article in the North Coast Journal, Costco first approached Humboldt Creamery about producing Kirkland Signature ice cream in the mid-1990s, as the retailer was expanding its private label program (source).

At the time, Humboldt Creamery was already supplying ice cream to several Northern California Costco locations under its own Humboldt Creamery brand. Impressed with the quality and customer feedback, Costco buyers asked if the creamery could scale up production for the Kirkland Signature label.

Humboldt Creamery rose to the challenge, investing in new equipment and expanding its facilities to accommodate the increased volume. Today, the creamery churns out thousands of gallons of Kirkland Signature ice cream every day, shipping to Costco warehouses across the country.

In a 2019 interview with Dairy Foods magazine, Humboldt Creamery CEO Frank Otis praised the long-term partnership with Costco, saying "Costco has been a great customer for us. They really value quality and they appreciate our story and our values" (source).

For Costco, working with a smaller, regional supplier like Humboldt Creamery allows them to offer a premium, differentiated product that aligns with their focus on quality and value. And for Humboldt Creamery, the partnership provides a reliable outlet for their milk and supports the sustainability of their member farms.

Kirkland Ice Cream vs. the Competition

Now let‘s take a closer look at how Kirkland Signature ice cream stacks up against other brands in terms of quality, price, and ingredients. I‘ve compiled a table comparing Kirkland Signature Super Premium Vanilla to several leading vanilla ice cream brands:

As you can see, Kirkland Signature offers the best value in terms of price per ounce, at nearly half the cost of premium brands like Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry‘s. But it also matches or exceeds these brands in quality measures like fat content and simple, natural ingredients.

The only brand that comes close to Kirkland in price is Breyers, but it has significantly lower fat and calories, indicating a less rich and creamy product. Consumer reviews echo these findings, with many saying Kirkland Signature is the closest store-bought ice cream to a small-batch, homemade taste and texture.

In addition to its core line of Kirkland Signature flavors, Humboldt Creamery also produces seasonal and limited edition flavors for Costco under the Kirkland label. Some recent examples include Pumpkin Spice, Amaretto Cherry Cheese Cake, and Mango Swirl (source).

The creamery also makes several flavors of Kirkland Signature frozen yogurt, as well as ice cream sandwiches and bars. However, the soft serve ice cream sold in Costco food courts is not made by Humboldt Creamery, but rather by Prairie Farms Dairy (source).

Industry Recognition

Kirkland Signature ice cream has earned accolades from more than just devoted Costco shoppers. In 2019, the Costco Connection magazine reported that the Kirkland Signature Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream was awarded Best French Vanilla Ice Cream by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) (source).

The IDFA recognition is a testament to the quality and craftsmanship that goes into every batch of Kirkland Signature ice cream. And it‘s not the only award the brand has received. In 2012, Costco‘s Kirkland Signature Organic Chocolate Chip Cookies were named Best New Product by the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) (source).

While not ice cream, the award underscores Costco‘s commitment to offering innovative, high-quality private label products across categories.

The Scoop on Sourcing

As a consumer, you might be wondering how Kirkland Signature ice cream makes its way from Humboldt Creamery‘s facility to your local Costco warehouse. According to my research, the ice cream is shipped via refrigerated truck to one of Costco‘s 13 regional distribution centers across the US (source).

From there, it is loaded onto Costco‘s fleet of temperature-controlled trucks and delivered to individual warehouses as part of the retailer‘s twice-weekly restocking schedule. This tightly controlled supply chain ensures that the ice cream maintains its quality and freshness from the creamery to your freezer.

If you happen to find yourself in Northern California, you can actually visit Humboldt Creamery‘s facility in Fortuna and take a self-guided tour of the production process. The creamery‘s Visitor Center offers exhibits on the history of dairy farming in Humboldt County, as well as a viewing window where you can watch the ice cream being made (source).

Unfortunately, the creamery does not offer any public information or tours specific to the Kirkland Signature ice cream production (likely due to contractual agreements with Costco). But it‘s still a neat opportunity to see where your favorite Costco ice cream starts its journey.

The Cherry on Top

In conclusion, Kirkland Signature ice cream is a true gem in Costco‘s private label lineup. By partnering with Humboldt Creamery, a sustainability-focused, farmer-owned cooperative, Costco is able to offer an ultra-premium ice cream at an unbeatable value.

The creamery‘s pasture-raised milk and old-fashioned production methods result in a deliciously dense, creamy texture and clean, authentic flavor that rivals top national brands. And with a wide variety of classic and trendy flavors to choose from, there‘s truly something for every ice cream lover.

But Kirkland Signature ice cream is more than just a great-tasting treat. By supporting Humboldt Creamery, you‘re also supporting a network of independent family farms and sustainable dairy practices. It‘s a win-win-win for Costco, its suppliers, and its members.

So the next time you‘re browsing the freezer aisle at Costco, be sure to stock up on Kirkland Signature ice cream. Not only will your taste buds thank you, but you can feel good knowing you‘re getting the best possible quality and value for your dollar. And if anyone asks you who makes Kirkland ice cream, now you‘ve got the inside scoop!