Gay Lea Foods says the growing popularity of high-protein foods has led to a "national cottage cheese shortage." (Credit: John Mahoney/National Post)Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd. announced Tuesday that it plans to expand its dairy manufacturing facility in Toronto in an effort to meet growing domestic demand for dairy products, particularly cottage cheese. The co-operative, a major Canadian dairy producer owned by about 1,200 dairy farmer members in Ontario and Manitoba, said it's investing over $200 million in the expansion to help address what it says is a "national cottage cheese shortage." Cottage cheese has grown in popularity over the past few years as people seek high-protein sources – a momentum that's been amplified by recipes posted on social media. Gay Lea said about one in three purchases of cottage cheese in Canada is for its brand, Nordica, which is manufactured and sold exclusively within Canada.