Stonyfield looks to New Zealand for organic milk

Dairy Foods, Nov, 2005

CONCORD, N.H.--Stonyfield Farm has developed such a need for organic milk it wants to pay state inspectors to travel to New Zealand dairy farms so it can import milk products to boost its organic yogurt production.

New Hampshire's legislative Fiscal Committee voted in September to let Stonyfield pay the state $60,000 to send inspectors to New Zealand. Stonyfield says it can't get enough organic milk powder in the United States to keep up with its production demand. The company wants to import powder from Fonterra, in New Zealand. To do so, Stonyfield needs Fonterra to be listed on the federal Interstate Milk Shippers list.

The inspections will require two food protection workers to make four trips to New Zealand and one state lab worker to make a trip.