Chobani Founder Gives Big Bonus to Workers

Nice story from NBC News.

Go to https://www.facebook.com/nbcnightlynews/videos/10154224485063689/?fref=nf to check it out.

Muller Yogurt Plant in Batavia Closes

A yogurt plant in Batavia that opened to great hoopla and was one of the plants in the yogurt boom in New York state is closed.

The Associated Press reported PepsiCo Inc. and German dairy giant Theo Muller Group ended production Thursday. The plant opened in 2013.

Officials said the plant didn't meet expectations in a competitive and dynamic marketplace.

The Associated Press states national milk marketing cooperative Dairy Farmers of America has agreed to purchase the Muller Quaker Dairy, co-op spokeswoman Monica Massey said Thursday. She said the cooperative is exploring several milk handling and manufacturing options for the plant.
 
The Associated Press says about 64 of the plant's 170 jobs are expected to be cut and transition assistance will be offered. He said the others are expected to be retained by the dairy cooperative.
 
New York has been the top U.S. yogurt producer for several years because of the booming Greek yogurt sector. Other plants in the state are run by Chobani, Fage and Byrne.

The Muller plant was mentioned as one of the success stories in the Finger Lakes region proposal for Gov. Andrew Cuomo's recent economic development competition called Upstate Revitalization Initiative.

It was announced Thursday -- the same day the plant closed -- that the Finger Lakes region was one of three winners in the state economic development competition. The region will receive $500 million over five years for projects in the area.

Muller yogurt has been a popular brand in Europe for more than a century. Muller products including dessert-inspired flavors like Raspberry Brownie Supreme and Dulce de Leche Delight will disappear from U.S. shelves after current stocks are sold, the PepsiCo spokesman told the Associated Press.

Idaho Farmers Surprised by Chobani Announcement

Go to http://www.capitalpress.com/Dairy/20141007/chobanis-non-gmo-feed-initiative-surprises-dairymen to check out the story.

NY Again Named Nation's King of Yogurt

For the second year in a row, New York is the yogurt capital of the nation. 

Preliminary data indicates that in 2013, New York produced 741 million pounds of yogurt, up from 695 million pounds in 2012. As confirmed by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York was the top ranked yogurt producer in 2013, a position it ascended to in 2012. 

New York once again exceeded California, which produced 591 million pounds of yogurt in 2013. For the entire country, USDA-NASS reported total yogurt production of 4,718 million pounds for 2013, up from 4,416 million pounds in 2012. New York accounted for 15.7% of total US yogurt production in 2013.

“For the second year in a row, New York state has earned the distinction of being the yogurt capital of the nation. This is another example of how when government and the private sector work together, as we have done with New York’s dairy industry to eliminate barriers to growth, the result is positive economic activity that translates into jobs and new opportunities for New Yorkers,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “New York’s dairy farmers and yogurt producers are the cream of the crop in their industry, and I congratulate them on once again securing this well-deserved honor.”

This announcement comes on the heels of news from earlier this year that New York passed Idaho as the third highest producer of milk in the nation for 2013. Also announced two weeks ago, Agrana Fruit, the top producer of fruit preparations for the dairy industry, completed construction of their new manufacturing and distribution operation in Onondaga County. Already creating 60 new jobs to date, when fully operational, the company will employ about 120 people at the $50 million facility, which will process all types of fruit for yogurt, including the possibility of New York-grown fruit.

As the company sought to expand its market presence and meet customer demand in North America, it considered more than 50 Northeast locations, and ultimately chose New York. The flourishing yogurt industry was a key factor in Agrana’s decision, offering the company a central location for production and distribution to leading yogurt companies in New York as well as the Northeast and Canada.

The industry is also helping to spur growth in other sectors of the state, as evidenced by the recent expansion of Feldmeier Equipment in Herkimer County. As a manufacturer of stainless steel storage and processing equipment, Feldmeier’s expansion supplies even more equipment for yogurt companies including Chobani and FAGE.

In 2013, New York’s dairy manufacturers employed an estimated 9,470 people with total wages of $513 million, up from 7,759 jobs and $400 million in wages in 2010. According to USDA-NASS, cash receipts from marketing of milk in New York increased from $2.21 billion in 2010 to $2.85 billion in 2013.

New York is a diverse state in the area of dairy and is also the leading producer of cream cheese and cottage cheese in the country. In addition to a 6.5 percent increase in yogurt production, two large dairy plants will be coming online this year: Cayuga Milk Ingredients (Cayuga County), which will manufacture dairy ingredients, and WNY Enterprises (Livingston County), which will use a cold-separation process to make skim and cream components.

What is Next on Chobani's Plate?

From the Associated Press:

Check out http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/18/chobani-new-products_n_5173441.html this story about what's coming next to Chobani.

Report: Chobani Wants to Sell Part of the Company

Reuters is reporting Chobani is looking to sell off part of the company.

Read the http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/11/chobani-sale-selling-stake_n_4940354.html story here.

Chobani Yogurt Meant for Olympians Being Donated

Oh well. At least it won't go to waste.

Go to http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/sochi-olympics/chobani-donate-yogurt-meant-olympic-athletes-n28881 to see the story about Chobani.

Russia Won't Let Chobani Yogurt into the Country

This goes into the "what the heck?" category.

Read this story http://www.agweb.com/article/russias_chobani_yogurt_embargo_indicative_of_bigger_problem_NAA_News_Release/ about Chobani and Russia.

Football Not the Only Competition on Feb. 2

So, which Greek yogurt do you like best?

Well some of the better known brands, including Chobani and Yoplait, are going to be duking it out in Super Bowl ads this year.

So keep an eye out on Feb. 2 for the new ads. Who will come out on top??

Here's a report about the upcoming yogurt battle http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/super-bowl-commercials-yoplait-chobani-battle-21607593

More Schools to Serve Chobani Yogurt

The pilot program to put Chobani Greek yogurt in New York schools is being expanded.

Read about the expansion http://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/gillibrand-hanna-announce-expansion-of-greek-yogurt-pilot-program-in-school-lunches-to-four-more-states- at this link.

Whole Foods Drops Chobani

Interesting. Not good for Chobani, I would guess.

Read http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/12/19/why-did-whole-foods-drop-chobani/?tid=sm_fb this story from The Washington Post.

Chobani Issues 'All Clear' After Recall

Go to http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/09/07/220049147/chobani-issue-all-clear-after-partial-recall-of-yogurt-packages?ft=1&f=1001&utm_campaign=nprnews&utm_source=npr&utm_medium=twitter to see the story from National Public Radio.

Cornell Professor Says Chobani Mold Does Not Cause Disease

This news is from Cornell University:

 

Randy Worobo, a professor of Food Science in Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said Friday that the mold connected with the recall of some Chobani yogurt products is not disease causing.

 

Worobo, a leading expert on food spoilage, and microbial food safety and quality, said “Mucor circinelloides is a species of mold commonly associated with fruits, vegetables and dairy that has been reported to cause spoilage like swelling and bloating in yogurt. It is not considered a disease-causing foodborne microorganism.

“This mold should not pose a health risk to most consumers. Very rarely, it can act as an opportunistic pathogen, but not through food and usually only for people with compromised immune systems through inhalation. The organism is regularly used for the production of natural flavor compounds that are widely used in the food industry.”

Chobani announced a recall of some Greek yogurt after consumers reported a strange taste to some product and finding bloated containers. ABC News reported the mold originated in the Chobani Idaho plant, not the one in Chenango County in New York state.

Chobani Founder Issues Statement about Yogurt Problems

The CEO and founder of Chobani yogurt issued the following statement on Facebook concerning problems found in a particular lot of Chobani on grocery shelves:

My heartfelt apologies to our friends and customers- if you purchased Chobani products with the code 16-012, Best By: 9/11/2013 - 10/7/ 2013 please discard and contact our Customer Loyalty Team for great care in making this up to you: http://chobani.com/care

And for more information, click here: http://cho.ba/17v8RMp

Sincerely,
Hamdi, CEO & Founder

Chobani Pulls Yogurt from Shelves; Customers Find Bloated Cups and Weird Aftertaste

If you eat Chobani yogurt, here's a story http://www.businessinsider.com/chobani-pulls-yogurt-from-shelves-2013-9 to check out.

Chobani was founded here in New York and has a huge factory in New Berlin, Chenango County.

What Does this Greek Yogurt Boom Mean to NY Farmers?

This graphic is from Reuters Business

Here's a story by North Country Public Radio http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22362/20130716/will-the-greek-yogurt-boom-help-dairy-farmers about how the Greek yogurt boom is affecting New York farmers.

You also can read the story I wrote on the same subject in 2012 at  http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/07/popularity_of_greek-style_yogu.html at this link. And the Associated Press covered the same issue http://blog.syracuse.com/farms/2012/01/greek_yogurt_great_for_farmers.html also back in 2012.

New York to Participate in Greek Yogurt Program in School Lunches

News from U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer:

  

New York state has been selected as one of four states to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Greek Yogurt Pilot Program.

The program will allow school districts to test Greek yogurt on their menus beginning in September. U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, who championed the program, said yogurt will provide a high-nutrition and protein alternative for children in their school lunches.

On Monday, the USDA issues a solicitation to buy Greek yogurt for delivery to participating school districts. The USDA seeks both four-ounce single serving containers of flavored yogurt and 32-ounce containers of nonflavored yogurt that could be used in various recipes.

The other states involved in the yogurt programs are Tennessee, Idaho and Arizona. Schumer said New York was a perfect selection for the program because of the large number of Greek yogurt plants (Chobani, Fage, Alpina and Muller) making the product right in New York state.

“Starting this school year, students across the state will be balancing New York-made Greek yogurt on their lunch trays. I am thrilled that New York schools will have a chance to participate in the first-ever Greek yogurt pilot program in September," Schumer said.

"Schools in New York, and the other three states participating in the pilot, will soon see that Greek yogurt is an affordable and nutritious high-protein option for their menus,” Schumer said. “I am proud to see this pilot plan reach this final step, because it’s a boon for New York yogurt and dairy industries, and it’s beneficial for the health of our kids.”

Companies wishing to bid on the yogurt contracts have until July 22. The Farm Service Agency will evaluate bids and make awards by the end of July.
 

June is Dairy Month -- Cooperatives Play a Big Role in New York State Dairy

Most dairy farmers don't have the time to go out and sell their milk and dairy products to stores or manufacturing plants.

That's where dairy cooperatives come in. And some of the top dairy cooperatives in the United States are here in New York or handle milk from New York farms.

Photo from Wikipedia

One of the biggest -- often coming in at number 5 on Hoard's Dairyman's list of the top 50 cooperatives -- is Dairylea, right here in Syracuse. Others that make the list are Upstate-Niagara, Agri-Mark (Cabot Creamery Cooperative), Organic Valley/CROPP, Lowville Producers Dairy Cooperative and Cortland Bulk Milk Producers Co-Op.

The largest cooperative is Dairy Farmers of America, which has its Northeast office in East Syracuse. According to its website, the Northeast area consists of 1,467 member dairy farms, handles 3.1 billion pounds of milk annually and provides milk to customers such as Chobani, Hershey Foods, HP Hood, Great Lakes Cheese, Kraft Foods, Leprino Foods and Sorrento/Lactalis.

According to a 2007 study of cooperatives in New York done by now-retired Cornell Senior Extension Associate Brian Henehan, cooperatives have a long history in New York state, dating to the 1800s when a group of dairy farmers in Orange County got together in 1844. 

"The Orange County Milk Association was organized to represent members in bargaining for prices received for their milk from cheese processors," Henehan wrote in his story. 

Henehan said in 2007, there were 64 milk cooperatives in the state -- the most of any state. In 2003, New York accounted for 32 percent of all the dairy cooperatives in the United States, Henehan said in his study.

While most cooperatives still market farmers' milk to milk and dairy product manufacturing plants, Henehan said there are different types of cooperatives.

Photo from Cornell University

According to Henehan's study, Services and Bargaining coops offer products and services to members, while Export Cooperatives export bulk, dry milk products to other countries. Operating coops manufacture finished, branded consumer products such as cheese or fluid milk while Bargaining coops negotiate prices, coordinate collection and hauling of milk and negotiate terms of delivery of milk.

So, during Dairy Month, we all should not only thank the farmers, but also give a shout out to the cooperatives who move the milk, make sure it gets to a place to be made into milk to drink or fabulous cheese, yogurt or ice cream to eat and work to get the best price they can for their member farmers.

Go to https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=13f80c82b4a675e4&mt=application/pdf&url=https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui%3D2%26ik%3Dce9dcad029%26view%3Datt%26th%3D13f80c82b4a675e4%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dsafe%26zw&sig=AHIEtbThqc0hRf7LJZaXH3sD3gg_SMWUwQ to see the Hoard's Dairyman most recent list (October 2012) of the top 50 dairy cooperatives in the United States.

Chobani's Thirst for Water Grows

The Chobani plant in New Berlin, Chenango County

Check out this http://thedailystar.com/localnews/x701044107/Chobanis-thirst-for-water-grows story about Chobani yogurt's need for more water.

What to do With Greek Yogurt Waste

Go to http://modernfarmer.com/2013/05/whey-too-much-greek-yogurts-dark-side/ to read a story in Modern Farmer magazine about getting rid of the whey waste leftover from the manufacture of Greek yogurt.

And here's another story about the same subject from MSN.