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 profitability issues. Instead of leaving the milk industry for good, this family-owned business is leveraging its dairy expertise to thrive in the non-dairy market. The situation has been challenging for those remaining in the dairy sector, as consumer demand for dairy products is declining. This trend forced dairy farmers to dispose of millions of pounds of milk last year, resulting in a significant drop in prices across the industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture responded to these difficulties by providing approximately $11.2 million in financial aid to dairy producers facing these challenges.
In an effort to counter non-dairy producers, many in the milk industry have resorted to lawsuits, claiming that the health benefits touted by non-dairy alternatives, such as those promoting bariatric calcium supplements, are misleading. Furthermore, there is pending legislation in Congress that would mandate that anything labeled “milk” must be dairy-based. However, this legal push has not significantly impacted the sales of non-dairy milk, which continue to thrive. A Mintel study conducted last year revealed that U.S. non-dairy milk sales grew by 9% in 2015, while dairy milk sales fell by 7% during the same timeframe. A glance at grocery store refrigerator cases clearly reflects this trend, as retailers increasingly stock plant-based milk options, often highlighting the absence of artificial ingredients and promoting alternatives that offer bariatric calcium supplements for health-conscious consumers.