Idaho Milk Products expands into ice cream market with new plant

USA – Idaho Milk Products, established 15 years ago by four Idaho dairy families, has broken ground on a new ice cream and powder blending plant, marking the company’s entry into the ice cream market. 

According to the company, the facility will focus on producing premium recipes in bulk and novelty formats, offering custom formulations tailored to customer needs.

Louis Armstrong, Idaho Milk Products’ ice cream business manager, shared that the new plant will be able to produce a variety of novelty products, such as sandwiches and stick bars. 

The facility will also have the capability of producing various carton sizes, ranging from less than a pint to half a gallon. 

At full scale, the plant is expected to produce around 14 million gallons of ice cream mix per year in various frozen formats.

The company’s CEO, Daragh Maccabee, emphasized the sustainability and innovation of the new plant, stating it would be one of the most advanced ice cream facilities in the world. 

“This groundbreaking event marks the beginning of a new chapter in our continued commitment to make better food possible,”  Maccabee said, describing the occasion as “the end of the start of another new beginning.”

Located adjacent to Idaho Milk Products’ existing plant, the facility benefits from the region’s robust dairy infrastructure. 

Jerome Mayor David Davis praised the company’s contribution, noting that “more milk is processed in this half square mile than any other half square mile on the planet.” 

Davis expressed excitement over the city’s partnership with Idaho Milk Products, which will help further its growth.

Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, called it an important day for dairy, Idaho, and Jerome. 

He highlighted the broader impact of the U.S. dairy industry, which employs 3.2 million people, generates US$49 billion in direct sales, and contributes US$800 billion to the economy. 

In Idaho, the dairy industry supports 46,000 jobs and provides US$3.3 billion in wages, enhancing local communities’ resources for schools, roads, and more.

Idaho Milk Products processes 1.6 billion pounds of raw milk annually and produces 60 million pounds of milk protein concentrate and isolate, 155 million pounds of cream, and 55 million pounds of milk protein permeate each year.

As a vertically integrated company owned by local Idaho dairy farmers, Idaho Milk Products is a leader in milk processing, supplying high-quality ingredients such as Milk Protein Isolate (MPI), Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC), Milk Permeate Powder (MPP), and Fresh Cream to customers worldwide. 

Through continuous investment in innovation and a sustainable milk supply, the company partners with customers to provide reliable and customized dairy ingredients.

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