Florida Dairy Farmers Innovate with Lactose-Free Canned Coffee
Florida dairy farmers Dave Temple and Ed Henderson have successfully launched Thunder CoffeeMilk, a lactose-free canned coffee inspired by Australian iced coffee. The product, which combines coffee and milk, was first developed in Henderson’s kitchen around eight years ago. Thunder CoffeeMilk is now averaging monthly sales between $40,000 and $50,000, with projections to reach $150,000 by the end of the year.
Temple, originally from Queensland, Australia, and Henderson, a University of Florida dairy science graduate, both have deep roots in dairy farming. They began their side project with the idea of creating a healthier alternative to existing ready-to-drink coffee beverages. Their journey involved initial trials at the Food Processing Innovation Center at Michigan State University, where they developed a shelf-stable formula.
Facing the challenges of breaking into a competitive market dominated by established brands, Temple and Henderson relied on their dairy cooperative and local contacts for networking. They initially manufactured the product using their own milk but later switched to sourcing locally due to logistical constraints.
The duo cites perseverance as a key factor in their success, having navigated issues such as recipe formulation and marketing strategies. They have also had to overcome challenges such as product coagulation during freezing, which they addressed by modifying their shipping methods.
Thunder CoffeeMilk's growth trajectory remains positive, with plans to expand into new markets and increase sales. The business requires Temple and Henderson to dedicate a significant portion of their time to managing production and maintaining communication with sales and marketing teams.
Despite the hurdles, both Temple and Henderson express satisfaction with seeing their product on store shelves and receiving positive consumer feedback. They continue to focus on quality and building strong relationships to support their business growth.
