State officials say Pennsylvania’s rapid permit approvals preserved milk supplies and protected farmers after a New York plant unexpectedly shut down.
MIDDLEBURY CENTER, Pa. — Pennsylvania officials say a rapid response to an unexpected dairy plant shutdown in New York saved millions of pounds of milk from being wasted.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation issued emergency permits to redirect 3.6 million pounds of milk after the Great Lakes Cheese plant in Franklinville, N.Y., temporarily closed, the agency said. By approving single-trip permits in less than 24 hours, trucks were able to haul raw milk to processors in Pennsylvania instead of dumping it.
PennDOT worked with the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and industry groups to coordinate the rescue effort. The milk was sent to five plants in Pennsylvania, including Dairy Farmers of America facilities in Tioga, Berks and Lawrence counties, Leprino Foods in Bradford County and Upstate Niagara Cooperative in Lycoming County.
“This is an incredible story of building bridges between the public and private sectors,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “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.”
State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said the quick action helped prevent ripple effects for farmers and consumers. “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,” Redding said.
Pennsylvania has the second-highest number of dairy farms in the nation, and agriculture plays a central role in the state economy, according to the state. Officials said the dairy industry provides more than 47,000 jobs and contributes $11.8 billion annually to the Commonwealth’s economy.
New York state officials also praised the collaboration. “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,” New York Agriculture Commissioner 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.”
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said the joint effort kept commerce flowing across state lines.
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau leaders said the intervention was critical for dairy farmers. “It’s vital that we keep this milk moving to plants in Pennsylvania to prevent farmers from having to dump their milk,” board director Tim Wood said.