By Blake Jackson
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, joined by New York Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball and representatives from both states’ transportation departments, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and the Dairy Farmers of America, showcased Pennsylvania’s swift response to a temporary pause at the Great Lakes Cheese plant in Franklinville, New York.
The state helped redirect millions of pounds of milk at risk of spoilage to processing plants in Pennsylvania.
PennDOT worked closely with New York agencies and the dairy industry to issue single trip permits on specific routes in less than 24 hours. This quick action prevented raw milk from being wasted, ensuring it remained available for consumers.
“This is an incredible story of building bridges between the public and private sectors,” said Carroll. “Thanks to the work of everyone here, millions of gallons of milk that would have potentially been wasted will be safely transported to Pennsylvania processors.”
Pennsylvania, home to the nation’s second-largest number of dairy farms, contributes significantly to the Northeast’s economy. The dairy sector provides over 47,000 jobs and supports the state economy by $11.8 billion annually.
“One plant closing, even a temporary one, can cost millions in lost products, and have ripple effects down to the empty grocery shelves at the end of the supply chain,” said Redding.
“This is another example of the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to helping businesses stay competitive, by offering practical solutions to short-term, immediate setbacks and long-standing challenges.”
“We’re grateful to our neighbors at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Department of Transportation, our New York State Department of Transportation, and all of our partners for their swift action in temporarily modifying hauling regulations to allow for the transportation of New York milk," Richard Ball said.
"This not only mitigates the impact to our dairy farmers in New York but also ensures minimal disruption in the supply chain for consumers.”
The displaced milk is being transported to Pennsylvania processing plants including Dairy Farmers of America in Reading and New Wilmington, Leprino Foods in Sayre, Upstate Niagara Cooperative in Williamsport, and the Middlebury Center in Tioga County.
“It’s vital that we keep this milk moving to plants in Pennsylvania to prevent farmers from having to dump their milk, which would lead to a loss of revenue and negatively impact our supply chain," Tim Wood, PFB State Board Director said.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-vm
Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy