US dairy farming company Aurora Organic Dairy, a producer of store-brand organic milk and butter for retailers, has officially opened a 127,000sft milk production plant in Columbia, Missouri.

The new milk production and storage facility is the second milk bottling facility of the dairy farming company and is expected to generate more than 100 new jobs by the year-end. It expands the product assortment of the US dairy farming company and marks its foray into the aseptic processing market.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson said: “Aurora Organic Dairy is a great company that will ultimately bring more than 160 quality jobs to Missouri. Missouri’s central location and infrastructure network are two keys to attracting and retaining good businesses here in our state. We look forward to supporting their growth for years to come.”

Aurora Organic Dairy claims that the Columbia milk production plant features aseptic milk bottling line, which makes it one of few dairy plants in the US to distribute shelf-stable organic milk products.

The new milk production plant in Columbia is expected to help Aurora Organic Dairy produce more organic milk products with all the range and convenience preferred by consumers.

The Aurora Organic Dairy milk production facility in Columbia will process and package milk in a range of single-serve and shelf-stable bottles. It will also produce dairy products like fortified and flavored milk, and creamers, milk varieties like A2 milk, organic grass-fed, Omega 3 fortified and lactose-reduced and extended shelf-life milk in half-gallon cartons.

Scott McGinty – Aurora Organic Dairy CEO, commenting on the new milk production plant in Columbia, said: “Our company’s mission is to deliver high-quality organic milk with integrity to everyone, everywhere.

“Products like these not only offer consumers more organic product choices, but they also help expand markets for organic milk producers. Innovation is rapidly changing the face of dairy beverages like never before, and organic milk is no exception.”

Based in Colorado, Aurora Organic Dairy operates dairy farms and milk bottling facilities. The US dairy farming company grows a part of its own certified organic feed and pasture, raises and milks organic cows at eight farms, and processes and packages milk at two sites – the new organic milk production plant in Columbia and an existing plant in Platteville, Colorado.

Columbia Mayor Brian Treece said: “This project symbolizes the advancements in agriculture and bringing high-quality organic milk to market. It also solidifies Columbia’s economic advantage for agri-business and food manufacturing companies.”

“We can’t think of a better partner than the state of Missouri and the community of Columbia,” McGinty added. “Our team is excited to become a long-term contributor to this great community.”

AOD’s processing facilities and each of its farms is certified organic by USDA National Organic Program accredited certifiers and certified by Validus, a leading independent animal welfare auditor.

  Aurora Organic Dairy, Columbia, Dairy industry news, Mike Parson, Missouri, Scott McGinty, USA