The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center is pleased to announce the Dairy Processor Modernization Grant Awards
Projects from this grant will support expanded dairy production, increased efficiency, and improved worker safety. Funds will primarily go toward the purchase and installation of specialized equipment for milk, cheese, and ice cream production.
Seven dairy businesses from across five states were selected for awards. Individual award amounts will range from $64,345 to $250,000 with a total of $1,149,720.66 in overall funding.
The following businesses have been selected for awards:
NDR Liuzzi, Connecticut – $250,000 to improve their mozzarella processing line with higher capacity separator and packaging machines, as well as a new slicer. and packaging machines to produce sliced logs of mozzarella. This will allow them to expand production to meet current demand and offer new sliced mozzarella products.
Smiling Hill Farm, Maine – $245,000 to purchase a new bottle washer for recyclable glass bottles. This will replace an old bottle washer that is no longer supported by the manufacturer and ensure continued and expanded milk processing capacity for multiple farms.
Bree-Z-Knoll Farm, Massachusetts – $76,000 to install a new chiller system. This will increase the efficiency of their fluid milk processing creating the opportunity to expand their product line and co-packing capacity.
Crescent Ridge Dairy, Massachusetts – $250,000 to bring ice cream production back in-house after their longtime co-packer closes. This funding will allow them to purchase storage equipment including milk tanks and flavor vats, and to grow their processing and wholesale ice cream sales by a projected 20%.
New City Ice Cream, Massachusetts – $150,000 to purchase two bulk tanks and a clean-in-place system. This will increase their ingredient storage capacity and replace single-use plastic with reusable totes for their dairy purchasing.
The Creamery at Spring Run Dairy, New Jersey – $64,345.66 to upgrade their processing equipment to include a double-valve milk filler. This will increase efficiency, expand production, and allow them to diversify their product line. This project will allow the business to significantly grow their product reach and income.
Warwick Ice Cream Company, Rhode Island – $114,375 to purchase and install a powder blender to improve processing efficiency, product quality, and worker safety, while increasing production capacity.
