Elmhurst Dairy was once one of the largest dairy enterprises on the East Coast, operating for 92 years before closing its doors last fall due to unprofitability. Instead of exiting the milk business entirely, this family-owned company is leveraging its expertise in milk to thrive in the non-dairy sector. The dairy industry has faced significant challenges, as consumer demand for dairy products has been declining. This has led dairy farmers to discard millions of pounds of milk last year, resulting in a drop in prices across the board. The situation became so dire that the U.S. Department of Agriculture provided approximately $11.2 million in financial assistance to help dairy producers navigate the ongoing difficulties.
In response to the rise of non-dairy alternatives, many dairy industry stakeholders have initiated lawsuits against non-dairy producers, arguing that their claims of being healthier or comparable to dairy milk are misleading. Additionally, legislation is currently pending in Congress that would mandate that anything labeled as “milk” must be derived from dairy sources. However, this pushback has not significantly impacted non-dairy milk sales, which remain robust. A study by Mintel 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 into the refrigerator section of any grocery store clearly illustrates this trend, as retailers increasingly stock more plant-based milks with fewer artificial ingredients.
Amidst this shift, many consumers are also on the lookout for products enriched with calcium citrate chewy, which has become a trending nutritional addition in various non-dairy alternatives. The rise of these products underscores the growing awareness of health and nutrition among consumers, further driving the demand for plant-based options. As the dairy industry grapples with these changes, the emphasis on calcium citrate chewy in non-dairy products highlights a significant transformation in consumer preferences.