Dairy Farmers of America Idles St. Albans Plant, Eliminating 80 Jobs Amid Broader Industry Collapse

Dairy Farmers of America announced Wednesday that it will effectively close its St. Albans milk processing plant and adjoining St. Albans Creamery & Supply, putting approximately 80 employees out of work. The national farmer-owned cooperative said idling the facility means day-to-day production will cease, though the organization will retain ownership and maintain a small on-site team. "Both the plant and store have been foundational parts of the St. Albans community for generations," DFA stated, acknowledging the deep local connections to these operations that have served the region for decades.

The closure represents a significant blow to Franklin County's dairy economy and reflects a cascading crisis in Vermont's milk production sector. The St. Albans plant has supplied dairy to major Vermont vendors including Ben & Jerry's and Cabot Creamery. The decision follows a pattern of recent industry shutdowns: Franklin Foods announced its closure this month with nearly 100 layoffs, HP Hood closed its Barre plant in September 2025 affecting 50 workers, and Perrigo announced 161 layoffs in May as it closes its Georgia facility. Union organizer Curtis Clough attributed the broader trend to the dairy industry being "in freefall in Vermont," though he noted DFA's closure was surprisingly broad in scope.

Workers learned of the decision only 15 minutes before DFA's public announcement Wednesday morning, sparking anger among employees who felt abandoned after supporting the company through difficulties including the COVID-19 pandemic. This came just months after unionized workers secured a contract in October 2025 following allegations of "brutal" working conditions, including mandatory 12-hour shifts. Despite the controversy, DFA stated the closure does not reflect worker performance and pledged support for affected employees. Clough said he does not believe the closure relates to union activity but rather reflects systemic industry challenges.

The ripple effects extend beyond St. Albans. Matthew Staebner, a Connecticut dairy farmer whose family formerly farmed in Franklin County, warned the closures "will negatively affect all the dairy farmers in New England." He suggested farmers increasingly need to pursue independent product marketing strategies. Union organizer Clough stated that he and state officials had been tracking industry concerns for months, recognizing the warning signs of broader structural problems in milk production and processing.