$1.1 million awarded to dairy processors for sustainable packaging innovation.

Five Northeast dairy processors to receive funding for packaging solutions to reduce virgin plastics

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), a Dairy Packaging Innovation Grant hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Marketing, announces five recipients. As consumer demand for sustainable packaging solutions grows, NE-DBIC prioritizes the use of virgin plastics and investments in projects that reduce the environmental impact of dairy and supply chain packaging.

Grants are awarded to:

• Agri-Mark, Inc./Cabot Creamery Cooperative of Waitsfield, VT will receive $323,875 to partner with a packaging manufacturer to produce a shelf life and feasibility study comparing sustainable cheese packaging options.
• Big Picture Farms of Townsend, VT will receive $147,800 to upgrade their entire packaging lines for Farmstead Milk Cheese and Caramel to environmentally friendly formats that are recyclable, compostable, FSC certified and/or climate-forward.
• Jasper Hill of Greensboro, VT will receive $127,442 to collaborate with the University of Vermont to evaluate sustainable packaging options and their impact on sensory properties and shelf life. They will also work with a contractor to conduct market research to understand consumer preferences for sustainable packaging.
• Stonyfield Farms Inc. (Lactalis US Yogurt) of Londonberry, NH will receive $300,000 to transition their YoBaby pouches to mono-material film and simplify the pouch cap.
• Vermont Creamery, LLC of Websterville (Land O’ Lakes), VT will receive $200,000 to convert its existing fresh goat cheese primary retail packaging to a recycle-ready or compostable structure.

This $1.1 million fund will support dairy processors of various scales and product types to conduct research, packaging development and consumer acceptance analysis. The research and findings of these grants will be shared by all recipients to increase knowledge and access to the dairy industry, particularly small and medium-sized processors.

“I’m proud of the incredible work done by the Northeast Dairy Innovation Center, which has supported the strength and modernization of dairy since I worked to establish regional centers across the country in the 2018 Farm Bill. Project winners like these underscore that the future of dairy is right here in Vermont and in this region.” said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. and chairman of the Senate Treasury Committee.

Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts commented; “These investments in milk packaging look to the future. Farmers and dairy producers are always thinking about what’s next. These dollars help the environment by making these businesses more affordable and sustainable. We look forward to seeing the new packaging come to life.”

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center provides support to dairy businesses in the Northeast region, serving eleven states from Maryland to Maine. NE-DBIC promotes the development, production, marketing and distribution of dairy products through market research, technical assistance and a competitive round of support to dairy farmers and processors.

“This award greatly accelerates the exploration of green packaging options,” said Bill Beaton, CEO of Agri-Mark/Cabot. “The findings will benefit our own farmers’ brands as well as the wider dairy industry in our shared sustainable packaging journey.”

“The All Vermont Creamery team is honored to receive this grant, which will allow us to quickly and broadly pursue our goal of sustainable packaging for our goat cheese,” said Eliza Leeper, Mission &. Customer Manager for Vermont Cream. “We look forward to sharing our learnings with our peers in the industry so we can expand the positive impact of this investment.”

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center is funded by the USDA and is part of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. To date, NE-DBIC has received $31.72 million from the USDA-AMS Dairy Business Innovation Initiative. More information about the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center at https://agriculture.vermont.gov/dbic/.

August 18, 2022 | Montpelier, VT – Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets