Stewart’s Offers Relief to Local Dairy Producers and Customers

The dairy industry has been struggling for many years and recently COVID-19 has added additional pressure, forcing many producers to dump milk. Stewart’s dairy producers aren’t dumping milk; in fact, they’re receiving increased premiums and decreased hauling costs from Stewart’s that goes beyond what they receive above the Federal Market Administrator cost. In addition, Stewart’s has again decreased retail milk pricing. Effective May 4th, all gallons and half gallons were decreased by .10 cents for customers.

Stewart’s relief to dairy producers comes with increased competitive premiums, by .50 cents from .10/cwt to .60/cwt for the month of May and could be extended into June. In addition, the company is extending their fuel savings with a decreased hauling charge for the month of May.

With schools and restaurants closed, the dairy industry is producing 15% more milk than the American public can consume, leading many dairy producers to have no choice but to dump excess milk.

According to Stewart’s Shops president, Gary Dake, “We happened to be in the right position at the right time with our packaged dairy products and our nearly 100 years of experience in the dairy industry. Our fresh and local dairy products continue to experience more demand and we are pleased that we are in a position to offer savings to our customers and relief to our dairy producers during these uncertain times.”

The company relies on 25 local dairy farms, while many other retailers purchase their milk from co-ops. Stewart’s is in a unique position sourcing their raw milk from local dairies, picking up the milk with their own haulers, and processing and bottling it themselves at their manufacturing plant in Greenfield. This allows them to have more control and efficiency and pass on savings to both the customer and the dairy producer.