According to ABC News, The U.S. Department of Agriculture is buying 11 to 13 million
gallons of milk from dairy farmers for $50 million, citing surplus
due to record-low consumption.
gallons of milk from dairy farmers for $50 million, citing surplus
due to record-low consumption.
Under a program that allows the government to
buy excess food or agricultural products and redirect them to food banks or school nutrition programs, this is the first
time the USDA has purchased a surplus of liquid milk.
buy excess food or agricultural products and redirect them to food banks or school nutrition programs, this is the first
time the USDA has purchased a surplus of liquid milk.
But it’s not the first time the government has
stepped in to help the dying dairy industry. Earlier this year, the United
States Senate signed a budget agreement to hand over $1 billion of taxpayer money to the dairy industry.
Supporters of the agreement claimed the money would be used for programs to
help the industry recover from falling dairy prices.
stepped in to help the dying dairy industry. Earlier this year, the United
States Senate signed a budget agreement to hand over $1 billion of taxpayer money to the dairy industry.
Supporters of the agreement claimed the money would be used for programs to
help the industry recover from falling dairy prices.
What’s more, in 2016, after a group of
legislators urged the USDA to help dairy farmers, the department bought 11 million pounds of cheese—20
million dollars’ worth—to reduce surplus inventories.
legislators urged the USDA to help dairy farmers, the department bought 11 million pounds of cheese—20
million dollars’ worth—to reduce surplus inventories.
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, CBS New York reports that fluid milk
consumption has fallen a whopping 37 percent since 1970.
with each generation consuming less milk than the one before. In fact, CBS New York reports that fluid milk
consumption has fallen a whopping 37 percent since 1970.
Further proof that the dairy industry is
hurting, Dean Foods—America’s largest dairy company—announced a plan to shift focus to its plant-based brands.
Additionally, the company best known for manufacturing, marketing, and
distributing dairy-based products such as DairyPure and TruMoo recently made
headlines after it closed an Illinois facility, citing a decline
in consumption. Dean Foods predicts more closures as consumers ditch dairy
products in favor of plant-based options.
hurting, Dean Foods—America’s largest dairy company—announced a plan to shift focus to its plant-based brands.
Additionally, the company best known for manufacturing, marketing, and
distributing dairy-based products such as DairyPure and TruMoo recently made
headlines after it closed an Illinois facility, citing a decline
in consumption. Dean Foods predicts more closures as consumers ditch dairy
products in favor of plant-based options.
A recent survey from agribusiness giant
Cargill reveals that half of U.S. dairy consumers also use vegan dairy
alternatives. With so many dairy consumers using plant-based
alternatives, the dairy industry is losing a significant portion of its
business.
Cargill reveals that half of U.S. dairy consumers also use vegan dairy
alternatives. With so many dairy consumers using plant-based
alternatives, the dairy industry is losing a significant portion of its
business.
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. Food giant Danone, famous for its yogurt, recently invested nearly $60 million in a plant-based beverage
facility in Mount Crawford, Virginia. Danone also dropped its animal-based dairy brand Stonyfield. And Elmhurst Dairy in Queens, New York, closed its
doors after 90 years in business and switched to making plant-based milks!
It’s one of many companies taking steps to adapt to the consumer shift away
from animal products. Food giant Danone, famous for its yogurt, recently invested nearly $60 million in a plant-based beverage
facility in Mount Crawford, Virginia. Danone also dropped its animal-based dairy brand Stonyfield. And Elmhurst Dairy in Queens, New York, closed its
doors after 90 years in business and switched to making plant-based milks!
While dairy consumption continues to decline
and farmers are forced to turn to other industries, the plant-based market is
thriving. A 2017 report by the Plant Based
Foods Association and The Good Food Institute shows a more than 20
percent increase from the previous year in purchases of dairy alternatives, such as vegan cheese, ice cream, and yogurt, for a total of over $700 million in
sales.
and farmers are forced to turn to other industries, the plant-based market is
thriving. A 2017 report by the Plant Based
Foods Association and The Good Food Institute shows a more than 20
percent increase from the previous year 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, forcibly
impregnated, and kept in terrible conditions. Shortly after calves are
born, they are torn away from their mothers. 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.
for cows, who are treated as mere milk-producing machines, forcibly
impregnated, and kept in terrible conditions. Shortly after calves are
born, they are torn away from their mothers. 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.
Sounds terrible, right? Just watch this
undercover video from a Mercy For Animals investigation.
undercover video from a Mercy For Animals investigation.
Fortunately, you can avoid drinking pus and contributing to this cruel
industry by adopting a healthy and compassionate vegan diet. Click here to
get started. And check out our Pinterest
page for thousands of recipe ideas!
industry by adopting a healthy and compassionate vegan diet. Click here to
get started. And check out our Pinterest
page for thousands of recipe ideas!
For a list of dairy alternatives, click here.
