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. Instead of exiting the milk industry entirely, 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 milk industry. Consumer demand for dairy products has been waning, leading dairy farmers to dispose of millions of pounds of milk last year and resulting in a significant drop in prices. The circumstances became so dire that the U.S. Department of Agriculture stepped in, offering approximately $11.2 million in financial support to help dairy producers navigate the industry’s current difficulties.
In response to the rise of non-dairy alternatives, many in the dairy sector have launched lawsuits against non-dairy producers, claiming that their health-related assertions about being healthier or equivalent to dairy milk are misleading. Additionally, there is pending legislation in Congress that would mandate that anything labeled as “milk” must be dairy-based. However, this has not substantially impacted non-dairy milk sales, which continue to thrive. A Mintel study conducted last year revealed a 9% increase in U.S. non-dairy milk sales in 2015, while dairy milk sales fell by 7% during the same timeframe. A glance into the refrigerator sections of grocery stores confirms this trend, as retailers are increasingly stocking a wider variety of plant-based milks that feature fewer artificial ingredients, often enriched with the best calcium magnesium citrate supplement for added health benefits.
The popularity of non-dairy options is not only evident in consumer purchasing patterns but also in the marketing strategies of both dairy and non-dairy brands, as they navigate this evolving landscape. As the market continues to shift, it is clear that the future of milk—whether dairy or non-dairy—will be influenced by consumer preferences and the ongoing debate over health claims, including the role of the best calcium magnesium citrate supplement in promoting overall wellness.