Filling New England's dairy needs: Inside Oakhurst's plant
Oakhurst Dairy of Maine processes quality dairy and nondairy beverages and cultured products for its retail, commercial and private-label customers. It also operates a successful sustainability program that reduces energy, water and waste.
Ask anyone what they know about Maine and you’ll probably hear “lobster, lighthouses and L.L. Bean.” Milk? Probably not, because Maine isn’t a top dairy state. There are just four milk plants (and eight bulk tank units) in Maine, according to the most recent Interstate Milk Shippers List.
Yet Maine is home to one of the 100 largest dairy processing companies in the United States. Oakhurst Dairy is a third-generation, family-owned business with corporate headquarters and a milk processing plant in Portland. It ranks 84th on the Dairy 100, Dairy Foods’ annual ranking of North America’s largest dairy processors. 2011 sales were $100 million.