Dairy Farmers of America to Close St. Albans Plant, Impacting Local Economy

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) announced that it will 'idle' its St. Albans milk processing plant and close the adjoining St. Albans Creamery & Supply, which will affect approximately 80 employees. The decision, disclosed on Wednesday, is described by the DFA as part of broader operational and network changes.

The plant and the store have been integral to the St. Albans community and Franklin County's dairy economy for generations. The facility has supplied dairy products to well-known Vermont vendors such as Ben & Jerry’s and Cabot. Despite the closure, DFA stated that the milk received at the St. Albans facility will continue to be processed to maintain a market for regional dairy farmers and ensure uninterrupted service to customers.

The decision follows the creamery's previous announcement to close its co-op grocery store last summer, transitioning to a retail business model. In October 2025, the plant’s unionized workers reached a contract agreement with DFA after alleging harsh work conditions, including mandatory overtime extending shifts to 12 hours.

DFA emphasized that the closure does not reflect the performance of the workers, and it remains committed to supporting those impacted. The plant's operations are set to cease on August 17, according to DFA's statement.

This development represents a significant shift in the region, which is heavily reliant on the dairy industry, and marks the end of a long-standing processing hub in St. Albans.