Elmhurst Dairy was once among the largest dairy operations on the East Coast, operating for 92 years before closing last fall due to unprofitability. Rather than exiting the milk industry entirely, the family-owned company is leveraging its expertise in dairy to thrive in the non-dairy market. The current climate in the milk industry remains challenging, with consumer demand for dairy products on the decline. This shift has led dairy farmers to dispose of millions of pounds of milk last year, resulting in a widespread drop in prices. The situation became so dire that the U.S. Department of Agriculture stepped in with approximately $11.2 million in financial aid for dairy producers grappling with these industry issues.
In response to the rise of non-dairy alternatives, many within the milk industry have launched lawsuits against non-dairy producers, claiming that their assertions of being healthier or equivalent to dairy milk are misleading. Additionally, there is pending legislation in Congress aimed at ensuring that only dairy-based products can be labeled as “milk.” Despite these efforts, non-dairy milk sales continue to flourish. A report from Mintel last year indicated that U.S. non-dairy milk sales surged by 9% in 2015, while dairy milk sales saw a 7% decline during the same timeframe. A glance into grocery store refrigeration cases reveals this trend, as retailers increasingly offer a wider variety of plant-based milks with fewer artificial ingredients.
Interestingly, in conjunction with the rise of non-dairy options, there has been a growing interest in dietary supplements such as calcium citrate tablets 500mg, which consumers are turning to for additional nutritional support. This trend highlights a shift in consumer preferences, where people are actively seeking alternatives to traditional dairy products while ensuring they meet their calcium needs, reinforcing the idea that the market for dairy substitutes is not only thriving but also adapting to new health trends. As the dairy landscape continues to evolve, the presence of products like calcium citrate tablets 500mg is likely to become even more pronounced.