The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), played a crucial role in rescuing 3.6 million pounds of milk after an unexpected halt at the Great Lakes Cheese plant in Franklinville, New York. The quick response was made possible by the approval of single trip permits, allowing the milk to be transported to processing plants in Pennsylvania within 24 hours.
This effort involved cooperation between multiple state agencies and organizations, including the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Dairy Farmers of America. PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in preventing waste. “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,” he said.
Pennsylvania is known for its strong agricultural sector, which contributes significantly to its economy. The state has one of the highest numbers of dairy farms in the U.S., supporting over 47,000 jobs and generating $11.8 billion annually. This incident highlights Governor Shapiro’s commitment to maintaining competitive businesses through practical solutions for immediate challenges.
Richard A. Ball, New York State Agriculture Commissioner, expressed gratitude for Pennsylvania’s swift action, which helped mitigate disruptions for New York dairy farmers and consumers alike. Marie Therese Dominguez from the New York State Department of Transportation acknowledged this collaborative effort as essential for keeping commerce flowing between both states.
The displaced milk is being processed at several facilities including Dairy Farmers of America locations in Middlebury Center, Reading, and New Wilmington; Leprino Foods in Sayre; and Upstate Niagara Cooperative in Williamsport.
Tim Wood from the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau highlighted the significance of keeping milk moving to prevent revenue loss for farmers affected by the plant shutdown. He thanked Governor Shapiro for his support during this critical time.
For more details on Governor Josh Shapiro’s economic strategies involving agriculture or PennDOT’s infrastructure projects, visit shapirobudget.pa.gov or penndot.pa.gov/results respectively.
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