California Dairies, Inc., the largest dairy farmer-owned cooperative in the state, recently held a grand opening of its newest venture, Valley Natural Beverages, located in Bakersfield.
California Dairies, Inc. (CDI), the largest dairy farmer-owned cooperative in the state, recently marked a significant milestone with the grand opening of its newest venture, Valley Natural Beverages (VNB), located in Bakersfield, Calif. This state-of-the-art manufacturing plant represents a bold step forward in dairy innovation and sustainability.
A Transformational Investment in Innovation
The new 200,000-sq.-ft. greenfield facility epitomizes a transformational investment by CDI’s member-owners. It’s a testament to their commitment to shaping the future of the dairy industry and meeting the increasing demand for innovative fluid milk products both domestically and globally. Designed for vertical integration, VNB is set to process approximately 116,000 gal. of local milk, underlining the commitment to leveraging California’s rich dairy farming tradition.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, notable figures such as California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross were in attendance. Joined by Kern County Supervisor David Couch, local officials, community leaders, and CDI executives, the event highlighted the significance of this new plant.
“We are thrilled to officially open this cutting-edge facility,” says Brad Anderson, president and CEO of CDI. “This investment underscores our commitment to innovation and sustainability. The new plant will allow us to increase production capacity, expand our product offerings, improve efficiency, and create next-generation jobs for the local community.”
“This facility is a testament to the innovation and resilience of California’s dairy farmers. It represents a bold investment in the future of agriculture — one that supports sustainability, strengthens our rural economy, and showcases California’s leadership in dairy,” says Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis.
Peter Ernster, senior vice president of ingredients and fluid products, emphasizes the facility’s role in catering to market demand.
“Value-added dairy products like ESL and UHT are popular options in today’s changing marketplace,” he says. “This facility allows us to meet that demand with innovative products.”
Investing in the Future Workforce
CDI has created 90 full-time positions at the VNB facility, offering competitive market compensation and benefits, contributing to the proliferation of next-generation Industry 4.0 jobs. These efforts highlight CDI’s commitment to not only advancing the dairy industry but also to fostering economic growth and sustainability within the local community.
As the largest member-owned milk marketing and processing cooperative in California, CDI, co-owned by nearly 300 dairy producers, annually produces 17 billion pounds of Real California Milk. With renowned brands such as Challenge and Danish Creamery, California Dairies’ commitment to quality butter, milk products and milk powders remains globally recognized.
In essence, the inauguration of Valley Natural Beverages marks a significant leap forward in both the technological domain and sustainable practices within the dairy industry, reaffirming California Dairies, Inc.’s leadership and dedication to a future-oriented agricultural landscape.
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