Quality Remains Main Goal Of Dairy Industry

While the dairy industry may be struggling right now, producers continue to pride themselves on quality of product.  And milk quality goes beyond production components, it includes factors such as temperature, low somatic cell counts, and much more.  But the end result should be the same: an excellent customer experience.

Kroger Company Supply Chain Director, Mike Brown, said milk quality and expectations have evolved over time.

“I think the thing we really appreciate is what we’ve seen happen on the farm with milk quality. Our cheese is better quality, our milk is better quality, you can really see a difference from 15 years ago on the product the American dairy producer makes. It’s better, and we really appreciate it.“

One way that dairy producers are improving milk quality, Brown says, is by participating in programs like the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management, or FARM program.  He said the program includes standards on animal care, environmental stewardship, antibiotic stewardship and workforce development.  Brown credits the science-based program for improving the quality of Kroger’s products for consumers.

“It gives us a tool to tell our consumers that all of our milk supply and all of the cheese we buy and all of the butter that we buy and the other products that we buy that are dairy come from farms that are participating in that program that ensures that they are doing proper management. Most importantly, it documents it, so we know our dairymen do a great job.”

Product quality is extremely important to consumers, Brown explains, and they aren’t afraid to speak up to companies like Kroger when their expectations are not met.

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