The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center is pleased to announce the New Dairy Processor Start-Up Grant Awards.
Projects from this grant will support new dairy processing projects throughout the Northeast. These projects include an herbal ice cream enterprise, and the launch of artisan cheese brands in New York, Maine, Maryland, and Vermont.
Five projects across four states were selected for awards. Individual award amounts will range from $39,872 to $75,000 with a total of $333,996 in overall funding.
The following businesses have been selected for awards:
Delmarva Crop Queen LLC, Maryland – $75,000 to purchase specialized equipment for a new dairy processing facility, where they will process cheese curds, mozzarella, fromage blanc, quark, and flavored butters. This facility will also offer a teaching space and will be available to local farmers for producing value-added products.
Haymay Creamery, Maine – $69,124 to develop and bring to market a line of artisan cheese made from grass-based milk from Maine farms. They will purchase specialized equipment and work with a marketing and branding professional to develop product designs and packaging. They will also attend courses on advanced cheesemaking, food safety, and businesses development, which will support the establishment of wholesale and direct-to-consumer sales channels.
Overflow Creamery, New York – $75,000 to launch a new artisan cheese brand in New York’s Adirondack Park. They will customize the design of a prefabricated micro-creamery, purchase specialized equipment, and work with business consultants to establish sustainable business practices. The creamery will source cow and sheep milk from five local dairy farms in the Adirondacks.
The Goat Project, Vermont – $39,872 to purchase specialized equipment to efficiently store milk and make goat cheese with milk directly from their farm. This equipment will allow them to expand their goat herd, work with experienced cheese makers to develop recipes, and take advanced cheese classes . They will also enroll in a year-long marketing and business coaching program specifically designed for farmers and develop a food safety plan.
Wilson Herb Farm, Vermont – $75,000 to expand their farm-based ice cream production purchasing equipment and obtaining regulatory licenses to sell dairy products across state lines. They will also consult with a professional marketing and branding team, and enroll staff in process and food safety training programs at Cornell University.
Photo courtesy of Wilson Herb Farm
