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September 3, 2024

AGRI-MARK, MARYLAND & VIRGINIA MILK PRODUCERS, AND UPSTATE NIAGARA COOPERATIVE ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO MARKET DAIRY INGREDIENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

AGRI-MARK, MARYLAND & VIRGINIA MILK PRODUCERS, AND UPSTATE NIAGARA COOPERATIVE ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO MARKET DAIRY INGREDIENTS

Contact: Amie Gabriel
518-290-1721
agabriel@integrateddairy.com

Saratoga Springs, NY - Three prominent East Coast dairy cooperatives have joined forces to announce the launch of Integrated Dairy Ingredients (IDI), a venture set to streamline the dairy ingredients market. Starting January 2025, IDI will market and sell high-quality dairy ingredients, bridging the gap between customers and the farm families that produce these essential products.

Founded by Agri-Mark, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, and Upstate Niagara Cooperative, IDI represents a unique collaboration in the dairy industry. The company's mission is to provide comprehensive dairy ingredient solutions while fostering lasting partnerships with customers.

"Integrated Dairy Ingredients is a direct link to the hardworking farm families who produce the milk for our ingredients," said Amie Gabriel, Chief Executive Officer. "This close connection ensures unparalleled quality and transparency in our supply chain."

Initially, IDI's product lineup will include nonfat dry milk, skim milk powder, and buttermilk powder. All products will be rbST-free, OU Kosher, and Halal certified, catering to a wide range of customer needs.

Through collaboration with its cooperative members, bulk raw milk, condensed milk, cream, and butter can also be sourced by customers.

What sets IDI apart is its strategic location and footprint. With farms, manufacturing facilities, and distribution warehouses established along the Eastern seaboard, the company is uniquely positioned to serve both local markets and global export demands efficiently.

"Our East Coast network allows us to minimize transportation costs and reduce the carbon footprint of the powder delivered to customers," Amie added. "This means fresher ingredients for our customers and a more sustainable supply chain overall."

Industry experts anticipate that this new venture will significantly impact the dairy ingredients market, offering a fresh approach to sourcing and supply chain management. IDI is engaging with potential customers and partners as it prepares for start-up in January 2025.

For more information about Integrated Dairy Ingredients, please visit www.integrateddairyingredients.com.

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About IDI: Integrated Dairy Ingredients (IDI) is a joint venture of three leading East Coast dairy cooperatives: Agri-Mark, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, and Upstate Niagara Cooperative. Launching in January 2025, IDI aims to provide high-quality dairy ingredients while fostering closer connections between customers and farm families.

About the owners:

Agri-Mark, Inc. is a dairy cooperative and certified B-corp owned by more than 450 dairy farm families in New England and New York. The cooperative has been marketing milk for dairy farmers since 1916 and has headquarters in Andover, Massachusetts, and in Waitsfield, Vermont. Their farm families supply more than 3 billion pounds of milk annually that they use to make their award-winning Cabot and McCadam branded cheeses, dairy products, and ingredients. Agri-Mark operates three cheese manufacturing facilities, in Cabot, Vermont; Middlebury, Vermont, and Chateauguay, New York. At their Middlebury, Vermont facility, they also produce valuable whey proteins that are marketed around the world. Agri-Mark operates a butter-powder facility in West Springfield, Massachusetts, and supplies fresh fluid milk to the region’s largest dairy processors. For more information about Agri-Mark, please visit https://www.agrimark.coop/.

Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative is a community of more than 900 dairy farm families in 10 states passionate about cultivating dairy goodness and bottling fresh Maola brand milk and dairy products. Our farmer-owned cooperative owns six dairy processing plants that process more than three billion pounds of milk annually. Our diverse portfolio of dairy products is then distributed to consumers in the United States and ingredients customers worldwide. Our cooperative is a leader in sustainability, partnering across the supply chain to deliver sustainable solutions to our member farms. We take pride in supporting the educational and nutritional needs of the communities in our milkshed through our MDVA Fund. For more information about Maryland & Virginia, visit www.mdvamilk.com.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative is owned by 230 dairy farmers in New York and New England. The Cooperative owns and operates eight dairy manufacturing facilities that turn milk into a wide variety of wholesome and nutritious dairy products. These products are sold to retail, food service, schools & universities, and government institutions across New York, the nation, and internationally. Our farmer owners have always been committed to providing affordable and nutritious foods for their communities and providing the highest level of care for their animals while being good stewards of the land. For more about Upstate Niagara Cooperative and their popular brands visit www.upstateniagara.com.