Dairy firm recruits 30 extra farmers

Meadow Foods has taken on an extra 30 Cumbrian dairy farmers in the last six months.

The dairy ingredients business bought Cumbrian West Lakes Dairy Park (WLDP) from Dutch entrepreneur Ronald Akkerman earlier this year and with it, 170 county producers. It is aiming to increase its share of the milk field to 300 million litres a year. The 30 farmers produce 35 million litres a year.

A total of 180 farmers across Cumbria now supply the company. The company has made the county its focal point for its expansion drive as demand for its products grows.

Managing director Paul Deakin said: "We have very quickly shown our farmers in Cumbria that Meadow Foods is an excellent long-term partner. We have honoured all contract terms following the transfer of agreements from West Lakes to Meadow and continue to offer a strong milk price."