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On June 18, 1913, a group of farmers gathered in New Westminster and signed a charter for a dairy marketing co-operative. 90% of farmers in the region signed on to be members and purchased shares, however the inception of the group operations was delayed due to World War I. The group formed the Lower Mainland Milk and Cream Shippers Association as one of its first acts. The FVMPA worked as a bargaining agency between distributers and dairy farmers.

In 1923, a monthly bulletin called Butter-Fat was started. Its objectives were "[t]o pull together through the columns of this medium. To keep in closer communication by means of frequent meetings of locals. To produce the Best Product; thus this association will move more solidly and successfully forward to greater success."

In 1919, the association bought out fluid milk dealers and began their own distribution. By the end of the year, they had purchased two plants. On May 1, 1919 the FVMPA bought the Standard Milk Dairy Company and entered the retail milk trade. At this time, the association entered into a partnership with Guy Clarke and the company became Fraser Valley Dairies Limited. The partnership ended in 1923 when Guy Clarke was bought out.

A utility plant in Sardis was completed in June 1925. Equipment was brought in from the Chilliwack Creamery and they made butter, cheese and casein.

In 1931, 11 fluid milk distributing companies from Vancouver formed the Associated Dairies. In 1943, FVMPA bought the stock and became the sole owner. Dairyland fluid milk division was created.