Maryland Dairy | Distributors of Wholesale Dairy in Baltimore

Dairy products have been part of our diet for millennia. That’s why it’s no surprise that they are among the main food categories sold in grocery stores and used by food service businesses. Distributors of wholesale dairy in Baltimore offer a variety of cheeses, ice creams, and different types of milk. Some businesses choose to partner with Baltimore broadline food distributors who also offer dairy goods. In the following paragraphs, we’ll share more about the Maryland dairy industry and the differences between working with broadline distributors or choosing a specialized supplier of wholesale dairy in Baltimore. We’ll also share a list of some well-known dairy wholesalers in Maryland. If you’re currently looking for new suppliers, make sure to also check out our posts on wholesale bakeries in Baltimore and Baltimore coffee roasters.

Key takeaway: Suppliers of wholesale dairy in Baltimore usually operate their own dairy farms or purchase milk from local farmers. They offer a variety of wholesale products from the dairy category including milk, butter, cheese, and eggs. Many business owners choose to work with broadline distributors that also sell meat, produce, or wholesale seafood in Baltimore.

The Maryland Dairy Industry

With over 300 dairy farms across the state, Maryland has a well-developed dairy sector. Most farms in the state are family-owned and operated. A large percentage of them are located in the northern counties of Garrett and Washington. They sell bulk milk to dairy manufacturing companies or other businesses that do milk pasteurization and packaging. Some dairy farms have also included dairy wholesale and distribution services in their processes. In recent years, the popularity of organic dairy products from grass-fed cattle has increased a lot. As such, dairy farming has shifted its focus to eco-friendly and organic farming practices. That way they can have higher prices for their end products and better profit markup.

Buying from Broadline Food Suppliers VS Dairy Distributors

Although there are multiple distributors of wholesale dairy in Baltimore and the nearby towns, a lot of businesses purchase milk, butter, and other dairy products from broadline suppliers. That’s because wholesale dairy distributors usually offer only milk, butter, cheese, and other dairy products. On the other hand, broadline suppliers also sell meat, produce, grains, oils, and various other products at wholesale prices. Therefore, restaurant managers or grocery stores might prefer to streamline their ordering and inventory management processes and work with food distributors that sell food products in each category.

The main benefit of working with distributors of wholesale dairy in Baltimore is that these suppliers usually partner with local dairy farms. This helps the local economy and communities. It’s also more sustainable. Some dairy wholesalers might also offer various other specialty and gourmet products such as imported cheeses, organic butter, or free-range organic eggs. Suppliers that specialize in sales of wholesale meat in Baltimore often sell dairy products, seafood, and produce from local farms.

Top Dairy Distributors in Baltimore and Maryland

There aren’t many distributors that specialize in wholesale dairy in Baltimore. Most suppliers that offer dairy products also sell different types of meat, seafood, or produce. If you wish to find suppliers of local milk, different types of yogurt, or other dairy goods, here are some of the top distributors that specialize in wholesale sales of dairy products.

Cloverland Dairy

Although the company is based in Baltimore, they do deliveries to Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and DC. Cloverland Dairy specializes in sales of milk, cultured products, cream, and various types of flavored milk. They also sell juices, teas, ice cream, and other products. The philosophy of Cloverland is to pay extra attention to animal welfare and the well-being of their cows.

Known for: Being one of the biggest dairy farming companies and distributors of wholesale dairy in Baltimore for the past decades.

South Mountain Creamery

From bulk milk and butter to lemonades and eggnog, the company offers various products to business customers and individuals. They pride themselves on their non-GMO practices and dairy products from grass-fed cattle. In addition to selling retail and wholesale dairy in Baltimore and other towns nearby, South Mountain Creamery offers other services for the community. They offer farm visits, tours, and calf feeding. Their family-owned farm also organizes events and fun activities like corn maze access.

Known for: Their focus on organic dairy products and the events they organize for families and individuals.

Maola Local Dairies

The company focuses on wholesale sales of different types of milk. They offer a variety of sizes for retail, specialty creams for coffee shops, ice cream mixes, and lactose-free products. Maola Milk is the result of the combined efforts of multiple dairy farms across Maryland and Virginia. Since 1920, they’ve supplied local grocery stores and households with quality milk.

Known for: The variety of milk products offered in different sizes and their focus on the community.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wholesale Dairy in Baltimore

Whether you wish to know more about the characteristics of the restaurant industry or you’re looking for reliable wholesalers near you, you’ll find useful information on our website. Below we’ve answered some popular questions regarding dairy businesses.

How to Start a Dairy Business?

Starting a dairy business can be profitable. The first thing to do is to decide on the type of business you want to start. From dairy farming through processing to distribution, there are multiple options in the dairy industry. Here are the main steps to start a dairy business.

1. Do a thorough research of the local competition and the sector as a whole;
2. Choose a location based on the needs of the business;
3. Invest in equipment, tools, and machinery;
4. Pick the right marketing and sales channels;
5. Scale your operations and grow your staff;
6. Adapt to the demand and market trends.

What Are the Trends in the Dairy Sector?

Organic products have become increasingly popular in recent years. That is a trend that is likely to continue in the future. Here are some other trends in the dairy niche market.

1. Lactose-free products like plant-based milk and dairy-free yogurt alternatives;
2. Dairy products with higher protein content;
3. Sustainable practices in dairy farming;
4. Higher demand for imported and artisan cheeses;
5. The growing popularity of cultured dairy products like dahi, lassi, yogurt, kefir, and skyr.

What Are the Main Products Sold by Distributors of Wholesale Dairy in Baltimore?

Dairy wholesalers aim to offer a wide range of dairy products to restaurant businesses, grocery stores, and other companies. Let’s examine the main product categories sold by suppliers of wholesale dairy in Baltimore.

1. Milk – whole, skimmed, low-fat, and flavored milk are among the popular varieties;
2. Butter – including unsalted, salted, and organic butter;
3. Cream – half and half, light, whipping, and heavy cream are the main types sold by distributors of wholesale dairy in Baltimore;
4. Cheeses – cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, and American cheese are the most common varieties in the US but many wholesale dairy suppliers also offer imported cheeses from Europe and other parts of the world;
5. Ice cream;
6. Yogurt;
7. Eggs;

BlueCart: The Wholesale Distribution Software for Your Business

Whether you’re a supplier of wholesale dairy in Baltimore or you sell wholesale produce in Baltimore, our tools can help you streamline your business. BlueCart is the all-in-one wholesale management software for distributors. Schedule your free demo today and see how our tools can help you increase B2B sales and make business processes more efficient.