America’s largest dairy company, Dean Foods, issued a
notice to dozens of dairy suppliers that it would end their contracts after
May 31.
notice to dozens of dairy suppliers that it would end their contracts after
May 31.
The company explained that it had decided not to renew the
contracts because of the overproduction of dairy milk due to lack of consumer demand.
Director of corporate communications at Dean Foods, Reece Smith, said in a
statement:
contracts because of the overproduction of dairy milk due to lack of consumer demand.
Director of corporate communications at Dean Foods, Reece Smith, said in a
statement:
A surplus of raw milk at a time
when the public already is consuming less fluid milk and companies assertively entering
or expanding their presence in the milk processing business have exacerbated an
already tenuous situation in a highly competitive market.
According to a 2013 USDA report, dairy consumption has been on the decline for decades,
with each generation consuming less milk than the one before. In fact, dairy
consumption has fallen a whopping 40 percent since 1970.
with each generation consuming less milk than the one before. In fact, dairy
consumption has fallen a whopping 40 percent since 1970.
Dean Foods must know that the future is vegan. It’s one of
many companies taking steps to adapt to the consumer shift away from animal
products. Recently, food giant Danone, famous for its yogurt, invested nearly
$60 million in a plant-based beverage facility in Mount Crawford,
Virginia. Like Dean Foods, Danone dropped its animal-based dairy brand Stonyfield.
many companies taking steps to adapt to the consumer shift away from animal
products. Recently, food giant Danone, famous for its yogurt, invested nearly
$60 million in a plant-based beverage facility in Mount Crawford,
Virginia. Like Dean Foods, Danone dropped its animal-based dairy brand Stonyfield.
Although many large dairy corporations have been investing
in plant-based milk over the last few years, the U.S. government keeps trying
to save the dying dairy industry. Just last month the Senate signed a budget
agreement to hand over $1
billion of taxpayer money to dairy farmers. And in 2016 the USDA bought 11
million pounds of cheese—20 million dollars’ worth—because no one wanted it.
in plant-based milk over the last few years, the U.S. government keeps trying
to save the dying dairy industry. Just last month the Senate signed a budget
agreement to hand over $1
billion of taxpayer money to dairy farmers. And in 2016 the USDA bought 11
million pounds of cheese—20 million dollars’ worth—because no one wanted it.
While dairy consumption continues to decline, the
plant-based market is thriving. A report
by the Plant Based Foods Association and The Good Food Institute shows a more than
20 percent increase in purchases of dairy alternatives, such as vegan cheese, ice cream, and yogurt, for a total of over $700 million in
sales.
plant-based market is thriving. A report
by the Plant Based Foods Association and The Good Food Institute shows a more than
20 percent increase in purchases of dairy alternatives, such as vegan cheese, ice cream, and yogurt, for a total of over $700 million in
sales.
The decline in dairy consumption is great news for cows, who
are treated as mere milk-producing machines at factory farms, forcibly
impregnated and kept in terrible conditions. Calves are torn away from
their mothers shortly after they are born. Male calves are killed for veal.
Females are forced into the dairy herd, trapped in a cycle of abuse for years
until they are considered “spent and sent to slaughter.
are treated as mere milk-producing machines at factory farms, forcibly
impregnated and kept in terrible conditions. Calves are torn away from
their mothers shortly after they are born. Male calves are killed for veal.
Females are forced into the dairy herd, trapped in a cycle of abuse for years
until they are considered “spent and sent to slaughter.
Heartbreaking, right? Just watch this undercover video from
a Mercy For Animals investigation.
a Mercy For Animals investigation.
Join the millions of people who are ditching
dairy and other animal products and switching to a compassionate vegan diet.
Click here to get started. And check out
our Pinterest page for thousands of recipe ideas!
