Elmhurst Dairy was once one of the largest dairy operations on the East Coast, operating for 92 years before shutting down last fall due to unprofitability. Rather than exiting the milk business permanently, this family-owned company is leveraging its expertise in dairy to thrive in the non-dairy sector. The situation has been challenging for those remaining in the milk industry, as consumer demand for dairy products continues to decline. This has led dairy farmers to dispose of millions of pounds of milk over the past year, resulting in a price drop across the board. The U.S. Department of Agriculture intervened by offering approximately $11.2 million in financial assistance to help dairy producers cope with these industry challenges.
In response to the rise of non-dairy alternatives, many in the milk industry have launched lawsuits against non-dairy producers, claiming their assertions about being healthier or equivalent to dairy milk are misleading. There is even proposed legislation in Congress that would require any product labeled as “milk” to be derived from dairy sources. However, these efforts have had little impact on non-dairy milk sales, which remain robust. A recent study by Mintel indicated that U.S. non-dairy milk sales rose by 9% in 2015, while sales of dairy milk fell by 7% during the same timeframe. A glance into grocery store refrigerators reveals this shift, as retailers increasingly stock plant-based milks with fewer artificial ingredients.
Interestingly, alongside this trend, consumers are also seeking products enriched with nutrients like calcium. Many are opting for items such as calcium citrate 1000 mg chewable supplements, which offer a convenient way to boost calcium intake. As non-dairy options continue to gain popularity, the incorporation of supplements like calcium citrate 1000 mg chewable can play a key role in ensuring adequate nutritional intake for those reducing their dairy consumption. Overall, the dynamics of the dairy market are evolving, with non-dairy alternatives and nutritional supplements becoming more prominent in consumer choices.