Milk and other dairy goods are bought daily by households and are used extensively by food service businesses. Being one of the major food groups, dairy products are often traded in bulk by either broadline distributors or specialized dairy suppliers. Some wholesalers partner with dairy farms and act as middlemen marketing their products and selling them to dairy processors. Others specialize in importing artisan dairy products or specialty foods such as lactose-free alternatives. In the following paragraphs, we’ll shed some light on the characteristics of the Virginia dairy industry and share details about some reputable wholesale dairy distributors in Virginia. This post is part of our series regarding Virginia wholesalers. Check out our articles about Richmond wholesale meat and Virginia gourmet food.
Key takeaway: Dairy farms are the cornerstone of the Virginia dairy industry. They work with processing facilities, broadline distributors, or wholesalers that specialize in dairy products. Suppliers of dairy goods offer milk, butter, cheeses, yogurt, ice cream, and specialty products such as plant-based milk or organic dairy goods.
The Virginia Dairy Sector
Virginia has a well-developed farming industry and agricultural sector. However, the majority of these farms are focused on growing crops and produce or raising livestock. According to stats by the USDA, there are 365 dairy farms across the state with an average of 186 milking cows in each. In 2023, the amount of milk produced in Virginia was more than 170 million gallons. This means that the Commonwealth of Virginia is not among the 20 top states in terms of milk production.
An interesting piece of trivia is that, according to the Code of Virginia, the official state drink is milk.
Products Sold by Virginia Dairy Suppliers
Although some distributors specialize only in wholesale sales of milk, other suppliers aim to offer a wide variety of dairy products. In fact, some of them even offer product sourcing services for restaurant businesses, grocery stores, and other customers who wish to purchase specific products. Here are some of the subcategories offered by Virginia dairy wholesalers.
- Milk. Popular varieties include whole, low-fat, skimmed, and flavored milk.
- Butter. The main choices are salted, organic, and unsalted.
- Cream. This includes light, whipping, and half-and-half cream.
- Cheese. There’s a wide range of cheeses from different regions of the world offered by Virginia dairy suppliers.
- Ice cream. It’s one of the most popular desserts, especially during the summer and in coastal regions like Virginia Beach.
- Yogurt. Various types of yogurt are popular in the US.
- Eggs. Although eggs are not dairy products, they are often sold by dairy suppliers.
- Other products. Virginia dairy distributors might also sell different types of meat, grains, produce, or other goods produced by farms such as cooking oil and vinegar.
Dairy Wholesalers VS Broadline Food Distributors in Virginia
Business owners that need regular delivery of dairy products have the option to partner with a supplier that specializes in dairy or with broadline distributors. The benefit of purchasing from broadline suppliers is that they sell a wide range of wholesale products and can be the one-stop shop for your business. On the other hand, Virginia dairy distributors are more knowledgeable in the field and can offer better advice on the topic. Wholesalers that specialize in a single field also sell less-known products that might be hard to purchase from broadline distributors.
Dairy Distributors in Virginia
There are many Virginia dairy farms that also process milk and sell products directly to the restaurant industry or other businesses. Alternatively, some companies prefer to purchase dairy goods at wholesale prices from broadline suppliers that also distribute products in other categories. Let’s examine some of the Virginia dairy suppliers.
Dutt & Wagner
From food service companies and grocery stores to exporters, Dutt & Wagner is the reliable option for businesses that wish to find suppliers of quality dairy goods. The main focus of the company are dairy products like milk, cheeses, ice cream, and frozen yogurt. However, they also operate a poultry farm and can offer large quantities of eggs. Dutt & Wagner has more than 1,500 products in their catalog and can be the one-stop shop for restaurant managers and other businesses.
Known for: The wide variety of products offered and the company’s commitment to freshness and quality.
Mt. Crawford Creamery
Dairy farming is the primary focus of this family-owned business. They own two farms in Virginia as well as a processing plant. The main products of Mt. Crawford Creamery include various types of milk in different sizes. In addition to offering quality milk products, their family is focused on helping the community and educating youngsters on farming and dairy. Mt. Crawford Creamery is primarily focused on B2B sales to grocers but the company also partners with restaurants and other businesses that look for quality Virginia dairy products.
Known for: Their brand can be seen in many retailers across Virginia.
Blue Ridge Dairy
Based in Sterling, Virginia, the company specializes in the production of cheeses and yogurts. They are mainly focused on D2C sales at farmer’s markets but also work with businesses. Since its establishment in 1999, the main focus of the company has always been to make exceptional dairy products like mozzarella, aged feta, and Greek-style yogurt.
Known for: Their artisanal dairy products and their goal to offer the best cheeses in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Virginia Dairy Industry
Interested in finding out more about dairy-free yogurt alternatives? Or perhaps you wish to know how to grow your wholesale distribution business? You will find answers to many questions from various niche markets on our website.
How Virginia Dairy Wholesalers Can Grow Their Business?
The easiest way for dairy wholesale and distribution companies to grow their business is to start offering additional product categories. For example, wholesalers can start offering other goods offered by the agricultural industry such as meat and vegetables. The well-developed sector of wholesale produce in Virginia makes it easier for suppliers of milk and dairy products to establish connections with growers of fruits and vegetables. Alternatively, wholesalers that have many dairy processing companies as their clients can also search for livestock farms and sell their products to meat processors.
What Other Dairy Businesses Are Profitable?
Dairy farming can be a profitable business but it often requires generational knowledge and large investments. Small business opportunities that require less capital investments include starting an ice cream business or a frozen yogurt business. These desserts are among the favorite options for people of all ages in the US. By choosing the right location and marketing strategy, starting a small dairy dessert business can be very profitable.
The increased demand for imported products such as European cheeses or Asian dairy goods also means that starting a dairy import business can be profitable.
What States Are Known for Their Dairy Industry?
California and Wisconsin account for around a third of the milk produced in the US. These states have very well-developed dairy industries. Idaho, New York, and Texas are also known for their dairy farming and manufacturing sectors. Check out our post on dairy distributors in NYC to find out more about New York’s dairy industry.
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