Vermont Business Magazine After abruptly announcing that it will sever contracts with 89 organic farms across the Northeast this summer, Danone announced this week that they will extend their contracts with these farms for an additional six months. The company also offered farmers a transition payment in addition to regular compensation for milk purchased. Danone’s offer, while a positive step, does not match the scale of the damage caused by their abrupt departure from communities across the Northeast.
In October, Representative Welch led a letter to Danone asking them to immediately reverse their decision and recommit to their contracts with the 89 family farms impacted by their departure.
“The good news is that our organic dairy farmers - who have done so much to bolster Danone and its reputation - will have their contracts extended for an additional six months and will receive a transition payment added onto the milk purchased,” said Welch. “The bad news is that many of our farmers will still be left in the dark after the additional six months. Danone knows that leaving our farmers behind is wrong, and they have the capacity to provide real support for the folks that have done so much for them –its why they have adjusted their exit strategy in the face of public pressure. Danone should step up and do more—they should follow this offer with a more substantive and detailed effort to invest in family farms across the Northeast and give back to the communities that sustained their brand and profits for decades.”
For Welch’s October letter on Danone’s exit from the Northeast, please click here.
Source: Welch WASHINGTON – 12.14.2021