Meadow Gold Dairy provides dairy products including milk, cream, butter and sour cream to customers in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska from its facility in Englewood, Colorado. The facility receives milk from local farms, processes it through pasteurization and homogenization, and packages products for distribution. Meadow Gold offers services like par stocking, flexible delivery schedules, and product samples. It is well-suited to provide milk for local schools due to its convenient location and services.

1. DairyObservationLocation:meadowGoldDairy

2. Productoverview

3. Productoverview
● Human milk consumption began in 10,000 BC
● Milk is used for food & religious ritual
● Milk = water + fat + carbohydrates
(lactose) + protein + vitamins + minerals
● Milk contains 9 essential nutrients
including: calcium, vitamin D, and
phosphorus
● A great source of protein
● The most well- known breed of dairy cow
(black and white) is called a holstein.

4. Selectionfactors
Intended Use
What are you making?
- Cereal?
- Drinking Milk
Exact Name
Standards of Identity determine % butterfat
● 1% Milk
● 2% Milk
U.S. Government Grades
Based on bacteria counts- who are you serving to?

5. Selectionfactors
Packers’ Brands
Customers may prefer a certain brand
Product Size
Gallon, pint, half-pint
What you need depends on being used for and
how quickly is it used?

6. Selectionfactors
Type of Packaging Material
Cardboard, Glass, Plastic
-Where is it being served?
-Environmental concerns
Packaging Procedure
Individually packaged
Delivery quantity per box
Product Yield
Primarily a concern with cheese
Bagged milk may provide minimal milk when
used

7. Selectionfactors
Product Form
Liquid milk, powdered milk...
Effects Cost
Preservation Method
Ultra-pasteurized
Homogenization
Safety & shelf life
Temperature

8. Selectionfactors
Butterfat Content
Mandated by standards of identity
Higher butterfat, more expensive, richer product
Milk Solids Content
Mandated by government
Often added to low fat products to increase flavor

9. SelectionfactorsOverrun
Amount of incorporated air
Some products are regulated, some not
Affects value, price
Chemical Additives
Usually only in processed products
Untreated Cows
Produced without growth hormones
Potential health risk could be a concern for consumers

10. Selectionfactors
How the Product is Processed
Minimal vs. a lot
Organic Dairy Products
Strict standards
May be a marketing consideration
A lot goes into being organic
Nondairy Products
Can be less expensive
Not suitable for all uses

11. Selectionfactors
AP Price
Often regulated by government, Farm Bill
Prices set for a month at a time
One-Stop Shopping (for dairy)
All dairy from the same supplier
Often comes with par stock

12. Productgrading
● Grading is set by USDA, but is voluntary nationally
● Grading based on the amount of bacteria within product
○ Grade A indicates a low enough bacteria that it is safe to consume.
● Some states require their products to be graded.
● Pasteurization is required federally by Public Health
Services under the Grade “A” PMO.
○ Standards are set to ensure safety
USDA Website- Dairy Grades

13. Productcheck-inprocedures
Expectations for product check-in from the School Nutrition
Association
1. No broken or unsealed boxes
2. One delivery received at a time
3. Check that temperature is under 41°F, but not frozen.
4. Ensure entire order was delivered
5. Only receive pasteurized products
6. Check & record use by date
7. Send back products that are unsafe
8. (above max. temp, unsealed)

14. Productstorageprocedures
● stored between 33-40℉
● separated from foods items that have
a strong smell, as milk will pick up
odors. Ex- Garlic/onions
● stored in original packages and free
from visible damage.
● Out of sunlight
● “first-in first- out
procedure”should always be used.

15. Productspecificationsheet
● Exact Use: Children lunches
● Name of product: 1% Lowfat Milk Fortified
with Vitamin A and D
● Packers Brand Name: Dairy Pure
● Grade: A
● Size Information: Single Portion-Sized Milk
Cartons
● Package Size: Half Pint (236 mL)
● Type of Package: Plastic-Lined Cardboard
Packaging
● Processing Method: Pasteurized and
Homogenized
● Approved Substitute: Great Value Brand with
same specs

16. Companyintroduction:Meadowgolddairy
● Opened in 1901
● Manufacturer, Producer, Processor, and Distributor
● 35,000 sq. ft. processing plant
● 30,000 sq. ft. cold storage warehouse
● Is owned by Dean Foods Beverage Industry
● Merged with Robinson Dairy, which provides to
universities and food service
● Prior to mueger about 130 employees but now owned by dean
foods and there are employees all around the nation.
Dean Foods Website
Meadow Gold Dairy Website

17. Thetour:receiving
● Arrives in refrigerated
trucks
● Checked for proper seals
to prevent tampering
● Checked for temp,
components, smell
● If acceptable, pumped in
silo

18. Thetour:Storage
● Stored in silos up to
72 hrs
● Usually emptied every
48 hrs at this plant
● Cleaned after they
are emptied

19. Thetour:processing

20. Thetour:processing
Pasteurization
● Quickly heated &
cooled
● Kills bacteria
● Temps??

21. Thetour:Processing
Homogenization
● Milk pushed through
fine screen at high
pressure
● Breaks up fat globules
to prevent separation

22. Thetour:processing
Separation
● Centrifuge removes fat
from milk until it reaches
desired % fat

23. Thetour:Manufacturing
● Bottles made from plastic
pellets
● Machines run 24/7
● Extra bottles packaged and
sold to other beverage
companies

24. Thetour:bottling

25. Thetour:Cartons

26. Thetour:Storage
● Stored in boxes & crates
● Moved by fork lifts
● Crates organized by
moving tracks in the
floor
● Paper tag colors
indicate the production
day

27. Thetour:loadingdock
● Trucks seal to cold
storage
● Products are loaded
according to delivery
location

28. Thetour:Testing
● Tested for
quality and
safety
● Samples kept
until after
expiration date
and tested again

29. Fivevalues:time
Lead Time:
● Lead time is 24 hours or less with 24/7 on call ordering
● They provide deliveries 2x per week, par stocking, and
stockless purchasing.
Financing:
● Credit terms range from weekly to monthly
● Do not charge extra for last minute ordering or changed
orders.

30. Fivevalues:form
Dairy Products Offered:
● Liquid Milk
● Cream
● Butter
● Sour Cream
● Ice Cream- Companies can request an
ice cream base based on the amount
of butter fat desired.
Other Products Manufactured:
● Plastic containers
manufactured at the facility
are used for Meadow Gold
products, as well as sold to
other companies.

31. Fivevalues:place
The following states have
at least one Meadow Gold
Facility within state
boundaries:
● Colorado
● Hawaii
● Montana
● Idaho
● Nevada
● Oklahoma
● Utah
The Englewood Facility:
● Owns 51 duel
temperature trucks
● Services Colorado,
Wyoming, and Nebraska
● Offers overnight and
special deliveries free
of charge within the
state
● Sent a truck for a
single product that was
mistakenly not placed
in the order!

32. Fivevalues:information
● No extra information provided with fluid milk
○ Ex. recipes, instructions
● Other products, such as ice cream base, may come with
instructions
● Dean Website offers information on:
-Nutrition
-Grades
Meadow Gold Services Provide:
- Monthly Usage Report

33. Fivevalues:supplierservices
● Overnight & last minute delivery for free
● Par stock service
● Each client is issued a sales
representative who can answer any questions
and concerns
● Provide monthly usage report
● Since merger with Robinson Dairy they have
had to expand these services because of
their clients

34. recommendations/conclusions
Pros:
● Standing Orders: drivers are in possession of
invoices and will fill items to meet par stock
levels.
● Lead time: guaranteed to receive orders on time and
local facility location allows for some flexibility
for last-minute orders or shortages.
● Consulting Services: provide monthly usage report
and a sales representative is assigned to each
client for support.
● Return Policy: they provide no-fault product
returns. Drivers give customer credit for returned
products at point of delivery.
● Samples: They will provide samples, no problem!
● Cash and Carry Services:They have a cash and carry
service called DOCK, and it is tied to the publicly
posted price.
● Credit Terms: Provide weekly- monthly credit terms
● Minimum Order Amount: $200 for delivery and $50 for
dock pickup.
● Substitution products: They are
able to replace products that they
are out of with substitution
products, as long as the client
has indicated that is ok.
● Back Order %: 1.5% or less
● Outside Delivery service: Meadow
Gold typically distributes their
own products;however, they do sell
their products to sysco.

35. recommendations/conclusions
Pros cont.:
● Delivery Schedule: Deliver 6 days a week (Mon-Sat) Flexibility???
● Variety of Merchandise: products include: milk, cream, sour cream, butter,
cottage cheese and ice cream. they are also the primary distributor of
boxed school milk for Colorado schools.
● Socially
● Responsible: strives to provide the community with in-kind support and
financial aid, especially in cases of disaster relief efforts. They also
promote good health and nutrition.
● Stockless Purchasing: able to offer stockless purchasing due to their
onsite 30,000 square foot cold storage warehouse.
● Technology: They use a DMS system. Include all machines, lab technology
and more

36. recommendations/conclusions
Cons:
● One-Stop Shop: only provide dairy products
● Ordering Procedure:The ordering procedure is done over the
phone and a delivery schedule is set up, this may be easier
to manage online.
● Long-Term Contracts: Although Meadow Gold will sign a long
term contract with a person, this contract is not based on a
fixed price. This is due to the fact that dairy prices are
constantly fluctuating and are announced monthly by the
Federal Order.
● Case Price: The case price depends on the product, but
regardless, the price must be the same that is posted by the
Colorado Milk Board. The # of items in the case X the cost
of each item is the case price. In some large volume orders
there is some discounts provided.

37. WIllMeadowGoldDAiryprovideourSchoolmilk?
Yes!

38. Otherobservations
● Meadow Gold was especially busy a couple weeks ago
providing a special ice cream mix (with a
particular % of butterfat)for the McDonald’s St
Patrick’s Day Shamrock Shake.
● Organic milk is processed on the same equipment as
the conventional milk. Pipes and machines are
cleaned every night and organic milk is processed
first thing in the morning (once/week).
● Although Meadow Gold manufactures plastic bottles
and sells them to other companies, delivery is
highly inefficient because of the high costs for
essentially delivering air.
● Trying to use the Meadow Gold website was highly
frustrating as many of the tabs are not in working
order,which could be a negative for potential
clients.

39. Compare&contrast:thetextandlocation
Similarities Differences
-Convenient receiving times -Special orders (no charge)
-Check-in procedure -Profit loss
-FIFO -Not knowledgeable of grades
-Scratch work versus premade

40. Exhibits
● Milk jug with imperfection
● School Milk Carton
● Example of a different
products and forms
available to a potential
client.

41. References
Christensen, Emma. "What's the Difference? Half-and-Half, Light Cream, Heavy Cream, and Whipping Cream." The Kitchn. 1 July 2009. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
Cornell University. (2008). Keeping school milk tasting good: Tips of the proper storage and handling of milk. Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Retrieved from
https://foodsafety.foodscience.cornell.edu/sites/foodsafety.foodscience.cornell.edu/files/shared/documents/CU-DFScience-Notes-Milk-Flavor-Defects-Sensory-Eval-04-10.p
df.
Feinstein, A. H., & Stefanelli J. M. (2012). Purchasing: Selection and procurement for the hospitality industry. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Grainger Inc. (2016). Proper care and handling of school milk: A HACCP case study. Grainger. Retrieved from
https://www.grainger.com/content/qt-proper-care-handling-school-milk-229.
"Milk Composition." Milk Facts. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.
"The History of Milk." Dairy Goodness. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.
"Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone." American Cancer Society. 10 Oct. 2014. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
Saxelby, Catherine. "Q. What Does the Term MILK SOLIDS Mean on a Food Label?" Catherine Saxelby's Foodwatch. 16 Sept. 2013. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
School Nutrition Association. (2005). Keys to food safety: Writing and implementing a school food safety program based on HACCP principles. Kentucky Department of Education.
Retrieved from
http://education.ky.gov/federal/scn/documents/keys%20to%20food%20safety-%20writing%20and%20implementing%20a%20school%20food%20safety%20program%20b
ased%20on%20haccp%20principles.pdf.
Wisconsin Dairy Council. (2016). Strive for 35˚.Wisconsin Dairy Council. Retrieved from http://www.wisconsindairycouncil.com/school-foodservice/strive-for-35.