Thirteen dairy businesses across six northeastern U.S. states have received a total of $528,306 in funding from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center. The Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant program supports improvements to food safety systems, biosecurity, and product marketability.
Each grant, ranging from $11,028 to $75,000, will help recipients upgrade equipment, enhance food safety plans, and expand staff training.
In Maine, Spring Day Creamery will use $11,028 to improve its creamery with an epoxy floor, new sink, refrigerator, freezer, and exterior doors—boosting both safety and production capacity.
Massachusetts-based Mapleline Farm received $18,147 to purchase an ATP monitor, provide staff training, and update food safety plans as it works toward Interstate Milk Sales certification.
In Maryland, the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association was awarded $43,052 to improve on-farm biosecurity at its Maola Local Dairies. The project includes standardized signage, a hands-on outbreak simulation, and a new biosecurity training video.
Three New York businesses are among the awardees:
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Crosswinds Farm & Creamery ($46,039) will install a milk pipeline and an automatic bottle filler/capper to streamline safe milk handling.
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Hawthorne Valley Association ($47,207) will upgrade its air ventilation, cooler system, and milk quality testing equipment.
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Trinity Valley ($27,987) will develop English and Spanish food safety training resources for staff.
In Pennsylvania:
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Birchrun Hills Farm ($13,333) will update its food safety plan, purchase antibiotic testing equipment, and send staff for training.
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Weaver Family Farm ($60,000) will replace its bulk storage tank and milking system to improve milk quality.
Four Vermont businesses also received funding:
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Boston Post Dairy ($33,771) will install new sanitation equipment and work toward HAACP certification.
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South Kirby Creamery ($45,000) will purchase a new pasteurizer and boiler to obtain an interstate sales license.
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Woodlawn Holsteins ($60,000) will upgrade milk storage and sanitation infrastructure.
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Stony Pond Farm ($47,742) will make facility improvements and update its food safety practices.
Vermont Creamery received the highest award—$75,000—to install an x-ray machine that will allow it to expand distribution of its fresh goat cheese to wholesale markets.
These investments aim to strengthen dairy businesses by improving food safety, supporting regulatory compliance, and increasing market access.
