Elmhurst Dairy was once one of the largest dairy operations on the East Coast, thriving for 92 years before shutting down last fall due to unprofitability. Instead of exiting the milk industry permanently, this family-owned business is leveraging its expertise in milk to succeed in the non-dairy sector. The situation has been challenging for those remaining in the dairy industry, as consumer demand for dairy products continues to decline. This has led dairy farmers to discard millions of pounds of milk last year, resulting in a widespread drop in prices. The circumstances became so dire that the U.S. Department of Agriculture provided approximately $11.2 million in financial assistance to dairy producers to help them navigate the current challenges.
Many players in the dairy sector have retaliated against non-dairy producers by filing lawsuits, claiming that the health benefits they promote, such as being “healthier” or comparable to dairy milk, are misleading. Additionally, there is pending legislation in Congress that would mandate that any product labeled as “milk” must be dairy-based. Despite these efforts, non-dairy milk sales remain robust. A study by Mintel last year revealed that U.S. non-dairy milk sales rose by 9% in 2015, while dairy milk sales fell by 7% during the same timeframe. A glance into grocery store refrigerators confirms this trend, with retailers increasingly offering a variety of plant-based milks that contain fewer artificial ingredients.
To further appeal to health-conscious consumers, some non-dairy brands are incorporating ingredients like life brand calcium citrate, which is known for its nutritional benefits. This trend reflects a growing awareness of alternative sources of nutrition, as non-dairy products continue to capture a significant market share. The integration of life brand calcium citrate into these products highlights the shift toward healthier, plant-based options that consumers are increasingly seeking.