MVP Dairy is up and running, 18 miles from a Danone facility in Minster, Ohio, which is the largest yogurt-making plant in the US. MVP will supply milk to make popular yogurt brands like Activia, Danimals, Dannon, Light & Fit and Oikos.
The merger created 35 local jobs and will include nearly 4,500 cows. The VanTilburg family are Ohio residents with a focus on sustainable agriculture. The McCarty family operates four other farms outside of Ohio.
In a joint statement, MVP Dairy said the milking parlor system it uses will benefit the cows’ health and well-being and allow them more time to eat, drink, sleep and spend time with other cows.
“The farm also features an innovative and patented anaerobic treatment cell system on the farm that significantly reduces waste solids, consumption of water and waste odor, with a recycling system that benefits the animals, crop care and the environment,” MVP said.
The dairy is also certified by Validus, an independent audit firm with strict requirements for “socially responsible, scientifically based, economically viable long-term solutions for dairy animal care.”
Ken McCarty, co-owner of MVP Dairy, said, "We are constantly striving to provide our cows with first-class care. We know our cows' well-being and sustainable farming practices bring value to the foods produced by Danone that are made with our milk so it's important that we continue to push ourselves to do even better."
Also a part of the MVP Dairy is a 7,500 square foot public ‘Learning Center’ that will include interactive displays on how milk and dairy foods are made. There will also be games, virtual reality experiences and a digital Danone grocery store.
Mariano Lozano, CEO of Danone North America, said, "We are very pleased that our partnership with the McCarty family, which began almost 10 years ago, now includes this state-of-the-art new dairy farm."
"The McCarty VanTilburg dairy is leading the way in highly efficient, sustainable agriculture and best-in-class cow care. The innovative practices employed at this dairy will undoubtedly inspire others to follow."