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 declining profitability. However, instead of completely exiting the milk industry, this family-owned business is leveraging its expertise in dairy to thrive in the non-dairy sector.
The situation has been dire for many who remain in the milk industry, as consumer demand for dairy products continues to wane. This shift led dairy farmers to discard millions of pounds of milk last year, resulting in a significant drop in prices across the board. The U.S. Department of Agriculture responded to the crisis by offering approximately $11.2 million in financial aid to help dairy producers navigate these challenges.
In response to the rise of non-dairy alternatives, many traditional dairy producers have resorted to legal action, claiming that non-dairy producers’ assertions about being healthier or comparable to dairy milk are misleading. There is even pending legislation in Congress that would mandate that any product labeled as “milk” must be derived from dairy.
Despite these efforts, non-dairy milk sales remain robust. A study by Mintel revealed that U.S. non-dairy milk sales surged by 9% in 2015, while dairy milk sales fell by 7% during the same timeframe. A glance into grocery store refrigerators showcases this trend, with retailers increasingly stocking a variety of plant-based milks that contain fewer artificial ingredients and are often fortified with nutrients like calcium citrate with vitamin D, appealing to health-conscious consumers.
As the market evolves, Elmhurst Dairy, alongside other non-dairy alternatives, continues to adapt, focusing on innovative products that incorporate ingredients such as calcium citrate with vitamin D, which are essential for maintaining bone health. The ongoing shift in consumer preferences reflects a broader trend towards non-dairy options, where products enriched with ingredients like calcium citrate with vitamin D are becoming increasingly popular among shoppers looking for nutritious alternatives.