Rhode Island dairy co-op launches own milk brand - Brief Article

Rural Cooperatives, July-August, 2003 by Patrick Duffey

The Rhode Island Dairy Farms cooperative, formed two years ago, is introducing its own brand of homegrown branded milk "Proud Cow of Rhode Island" on grocery shelves this summer. Its initial production of 3,000 pounds of milk has now more than doubled. Local dairies will buy back their milk from a processor after it has been pasteurized and homogenized. The cooperative will handle marketing and distribution.

The state has only 22 dairy farms left, including some large ones that have formed in recent years, so the bulk of the state's supply comes from neighboring states. Like many dairy farmers across the nation, the Rhode Islanders are faced with the lowest prices in 25 years, a frenzied rate of development, much higher production costs and intense competition further aggravated by better herds producing more milk. The cooperative hopes to sell its milk to schools, parades, fairs and farmers markets.