Ben and Jerry's reports 20% of Vermont milk from Caring Dairy farms

The House Agriculture Committee convened on March 28, 2025, to discuss various aspects of Vermont's dairy industry, with a focus on sustainability initiatives and production practices. The meeting featured representatives from Ben & Jerry's, who provided insights into their dairy sourcing and environmental programs.

The discussion began with an overview of the Caring Dairy program, which aims to engage local farms in sustainable practices. A representative noted that while not all of their dairy supply comes from farms participating in this initiative, they target having 20% of their milk sourced from these farms. Currently, 51 farms are involved, with 48 located in Vermont, contributing to approximately 20% of the state's overall dairy milk production.

The committee also inquired about the production of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, specifically whether all products consumed in the U.S. are made in Vermont. The representative confirmed that over 90% of the dairy used in their products is sourced from Vermont facilities, with some exceptions for novelty items.

Further discussions touched on the company's operations in Europe, particularly in The Netherlands, where similar sustainability pillars are pursued, albeit under different regulatory frameworks. The representative highlighted that while the goals are aligned, the methods to achieve them differ due to varying regulations.

The meeting also addressed the company's relationship with local cooperatives, specifically the Saint Albans cooperative, from which they source butterfat for processing. The representative clarified that they do not purchase milk directly but work with balancing plants owned by cooperatives.

In response to questions about recent news involving Ben & Jerry's parent company, the representative deferred to public relations for detailed inquiries, emphasizing their focus on dairy operations.

The session concluded with a brief mention of the company's non-dairy ice cream offerings, which are also manufactured in Vermont, reflecting the growing consumer demand for such products.

Overall, the meeting underscored Ben & Jerry's commitment to local sourcing and sustainability while navigating the complexities of dairy production and market dynamics. The committee expressed appreciation for the insights shared and looked forward to future discussions.