Meadow Foods acquires milk business of Fayrefield Foods

UK dairy processor Meadow Foods has taken over Fayrefield Liquids, the dairy arm of Fayrefield Foods.

The acquisition follows what parent company Fayrefield Foods describes as a major dispute over a contract with a customer that led to significant financial loss for both farmers and the company.

Meadow and Fayrefield already share integrated milk collections, and Fayrefield dairy farmers have been given the option to remain on current contracts or move over to Meadow Foods.

See also: Milk price rise for Meadow Foods

The milk supply will move over from Fayrefield on 1 September 2017, and the rest of Fayrefield Foods will continue unaffected. 

Meetings

Meadow Foods will be holding three meetings on 7 and 8 August and is encouraging Fayrefield producers to attend to ask any question they have.

“If you are a farmer that currently supplies Fayrefield, please make every effort to attend these meetings or speak to Meadow Foods directly,” said Michael Oakes, NFU Dairy Board chairman.

“The NFU will support members with any queries on this issue but this change does bring to the fore the need for better farmer representation.”

Mr Oakes added: “Neither Meadow Foods nor Fayrefield work with a farmer group to discuss and consult on changes.

“With the Meadow Foods supply now expanding even further, we see it’s even more vital that there is a democratically elected group to represent Meadow Foods farmers and work with the company in delivering their future strategy.”