Key facts
- Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is idling its St. Albans, Vermont milk processing plant and St. Albans Creamery & Supply.
- The closure will result in approximately 80 employees losing their jobs.
- DFA cited broader operational and network changes as the reason for the decision.
- The plant has been a long-standing processing hub for Vermont dairy vendors.
- This closure is part of a trend of dairy industry shutdowns in Franklin County, Vermont.
- DFA will retain ownership of the facility and maintain a small team on-site.
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) announced Wednesday that it will idle its milk processing plant and adjoining St. Albans Creamery & Supply in Vermont, a move that will affect approximately 80 employees. The cooperative stated the decision is part of broader operational and network changes, emphasizing it is not a reflection of worker performance and that DFA is committed to supporting those affected.
The closure is a significant blow to the dairy economy in Franklin County, a region heavily reliant on the industry, which has seen several recent production shutdowns. Union organizer Curtis Clough expressed that the decision came as a surprise to workers, who were informed shortly before the public announcement. He noted that workers feel abandoned after supporting the cooperative through difficult times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The St. Albans plant has been a fixture in the community for generations, processing milk for Vermont vendors like Ben & Jerry’s and Cabot Creamery. This decision follows the St. Albans Creamery & Supply's transition to a retail-only business last summer and a recent contract agreement between unionized workers and DFA that addressed previous allegations of harsh working conditions, including mandatory 12-hour shifts.
Clough suggested the closure is more indicative of a broader crisis in Vermont's dairy industry rather than union activity. This sentiment is echoed by other recent closures in the region, including Franklin Foods, Perrigo, and HP Hood, which collectively represent hundreds of job losses. Dairy farmer Matthew Staebner warned that these closures will negatively impact dairy farmers across New England, suggesting a shift towards direct product marketing.
Vermont's secretary of agriculture, Anson Tebbetts, acknowledged concerns about the processing industry and stated that state agencies are collaborating to explore potential repurposing of such facilities. DFA confirmed that milk received at the St. Albans facility will continue to be processed to ensure market access for regional farmers and service to customers. The plant's final day of operations is set for August 17, with DFA offering severance pay and transition support to affected employees. Workers have also contacted U.S. Senator Peter Welch.